Method and apparatus for S-SSB transmission

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system are provided. The method and apparatus comprise: receiving a set of higher layer parameters including configuration information for sidelink synchronization signals and physical sidelink broadcast channel (S-SS/PSBCH) block; determining, based on the configuration information for the S-SS/PSBCH block, a number of transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (N SSB ), an offset for transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (O SSB ), and an interval for transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (D SSB ); and determining a set of slots containing the transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks within a period for a transmission of the S-SS/PSBCH block, wherein an index of a slot in the set of slots is determined based on O SSB +I SSB *D SSB , where I SSB  is an index of the S-SS/PSBCH block with 0≤I SSB ≤N SSB −1.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority to:

-   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/898,493, filed on    Sep. 10, 2019;-   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/899,461, filed on    Sep. 12, 2019;-   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/900,995, filed on    Sep. 16, 2019;-   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/902,045, filed on    Sep. 18, 2019;-   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/942,535, filed on    Dec. 2, 2019;-   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/966,809, filed on    Jan. 28, 2020; and-   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/968,338, filed on    Jan. 31, 2020. The content of the above-identified patent documents    are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to wireless communicationsystems, more specifically, the present disclosure relates to S-SSBtransmission.

BACKGROUND

A communication system includes a downlink (DL) that conveys signalsfrom (UL) that conveys signals from UEs to reception points such asNodeBs. A UE, also commonly referred to as a terminal or a mobilestation, may be fixed or mobile and may be a cellular phone, a personalcomputer device, or an automated device. An eNodeB (eNB), referring to aNodeB in long-term evolution (LTE) communication system, and a gNodeB(gNB), referring to a NodeB in new radio (NR) communication system, mayalso be referred to as an access point or other equivalent terminology.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a pre-5G or 5G communication system tobe provided for an S-SSB transmission.

In one embodiment, a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communicationsystem is provided. The UE comprises a transceiver configured to receivea set of higher layer parameters including configuration information forsidelink synchronization signals and physical sidelink broadcast channel(S-SS/PSBCH) block. The UE further comprises a processor operablyconnected to the transceiver, the processor configured to: determine,based on the configuration information for the S-SS/PSBCH block, anumber of transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (N_(SSB)), an offset fortransmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (O_(SSB)), and an interval for transmittedS-SS/PSBCH blocks (D_(SSB)), and determine a set of slots containing thetransmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks within a period for a transmission of theS-SS/PSBCH block, wherein an index of a slot in the set of slots isdetermined based on O_(SSB)+I_(SSB)*D_(SSB), where I_(SSB) is an indexof the S-SS/PSBCH block with 0≤I_(SSB)≤N_(SSB)−1.

In another embodiment, a method of a user equipment (UE) in a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The method comprises: receiving a setof higher layer parameters including configuration information forsidelink synchronization signals and physical sidelink broadcast channel(S-SS/PSBCH) block; determining, based on the configuration informationfor the S-SS/PSBCH block, a number of transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks(N_(SSB)), an offset for transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (O_(SSB)), and aninterval for transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (D_(SSB)); and determining aset of slots containing the transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks within aperiod for a transmission of the S-SS/PSBCH block, wherein an index of aslot in the set of slots is determined based on O_(SSB)+I_(SSB)*D_(SSB),where I_(SSB) is an index of the S-SS/PSBCH block with0≤I_(SSB)≤N_(SSB)−1.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in theart from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivativesrefer to any direct or indirect communication between two or moreelements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with oneanother. The terms “transmit,” “receive,” and “communicate,” as well asderivatives thereof, encompass both direct and indirect communication.The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, meaninclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaningand/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof,means to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, becontained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicablewith, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be boundto or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, orthe like. The term “controller” means any device, system, or partthereof that controls at least one operation. Such a controller may beimplemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software and/orfirmware. The functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Thephrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means thatdifferent combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used,and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least oneof: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, Aand B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented orsupported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed fromcomputer readable program code and embodied in a computer readablemedium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or morecomputer programs, software components, sets of instructions,procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or aportion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computerreadable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code”includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code,and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes anytype of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as readonly memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, acompact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type ofmemory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired,wireless, optical, or other communication links that transporttransitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computerreadable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored andmedia where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as arewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.

Definitions for other certain words and phrases are provided throughoutthis patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art shouldunderstand that in many if not most instances, such definitions apply toprior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example gNB according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example UE according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example transmitter structure using OFDM accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example receiver structure using OFDM according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example encoding process for a DCI formataccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example decoding process for a DCI format for usewith a UE according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example use case of a vehicle-centriccommunication network according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example mapping pattern of SS/PBCH block in a slotaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example mapping pattern of SS/PBCH block in ahalf frame according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example transmission pattern for S-SSB accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates another example transmission pattern for S-SSBaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another example transmission pattern for S-SSBaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates yet another example transmission pattern for S-SSBaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates yet another example transmission pattern for S-SSBaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates an example configuration for S-SSB transmissionaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates another example configuration for S-SSB transmissionaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates an example QCL assumption associated with the (pre-)configuration of transmission for S-SSB according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 19 illustrates an example (pre-)configurable QCL assumption fortransmitted S-SSB according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 illustrates an example QCL assumption associated with window(s)for transmission of S-SSBs according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates an example transmission of S-SSBs with respect toSCS according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 illustrates an example sequence mapping in S-SSB according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 illustrates an example NR SS/PBCH block composition according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 illustrates an example NR DMRS RE locations within an RB of PBCHaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 illustrates an example S-SSB composition for normal cyclicprefix and extended cyclic prefix according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 26 illustrates an example RB structure with respect to differentDM-RS density according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 illustrates an example indication for using the combination ofdifferent starting RE in PSBCH symbols according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 28A illustrates an example scrambling of PBCH for FR2 according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28B illustrates an example scrambling of PBCH for FR1 according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 illustrates an example scrambling procedures for PSBCH accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 illustrates an example QCLed S-SSB groups in a periodicityaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 illustrates an example PSBCH payload including timing relatedinformation according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 32 illustrates a flow chart of a method for window size adaptationaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 through FIG. 32 , discussed below, and the various embodimentsused to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

The following documents are hereby incorporated by reference into thepresent disclosure as if fully set forth herein: 3GPP TS 38.211 v15.6.0,“NR; Physical channels and modulation;” 3GPP TS 38.212 v15.6.0, “NR;Multiplexing and Channel coding;” 3GPP TS 38.213 v15.6.0, “NR; PhysicalLayer Procedures for Control;” 3GPP TS 38.214 v15.6.0, “NR; PhysicalLayer Procedures for Data;” and 3GPP TS 38.331 v15.6.0, “NR; RadioResource Control (RRC) Protocol Specification.”

FIGS. 1-3 below describe various embodiments implemented in wirelesscommunications systems and with the use of orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access(OFDMA) communication techniques. The descriptions of FIGS. 1-3 are notmeant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner inwhich different embodiments may be implemented. Different embodiments ofthe present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arrangedcommunications system.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. The embodiment of the wireless network shownin FIG. 1 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the wirelessnetwork 100 could be used without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the wireless network includes a gNB 101, a gNB 102,and a gNB 103. The gNB 101 communicates with the gNB 102 and the gNB103. The gNB 101 also communicates with at least one network 130, suchas the Internet, a proprietary Internet Protocol (IP) network, or otherdata network.

The gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to the network 130 for afirst plurality of user equipments (UEs) within a coverage area 120 ofthe gNB 102. The first plurality of UEs includes a UE 111, which may belocated in a small business; a UE 112, which may be located in anenterprise (E); a UE 113, which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); aUE 114, which may be located in a first residence (R); a UE 115, whichmay be located in a second residence (R); and a UE 116, which may be amobile device (M), such as a cell phone, a wireless laptop, a wirelessPDA, or the like. The gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to thenetwork 130 for a second plurality of UEs within a coverage area 125 ofthe gNB 103. The second plurality of UEs includes the UE 115 and the UE116. In some embodiments, one or more of the gNBs 101-103 maycommunicate with each other and with the UEs 111-116 using 5G, LTE,LTE-A, WiMAX, WiFi, or other wireless communication techniques.

Depending on the network type, the term “base station” or “BS” can referto any component (or collection of components) configured to providewireless access to a network, such as transmit point (TP),transmit-receive point (TRP), an enhanced base station (eNodeB or eNB),a 5G base station (gNB), a macrocell, a femtocell, a WiFi access point(AP), or other wirelessly enabled devices. Base stations may providewireless access in accordance with one or more wireless communicationprotocols, e.g., 5G 3GPP new radio interface/access (NR), long termevolution (LTE), LTE advanced (LTE-A), high speed packet access (HSPA),Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, etc. For the sake of convenience, the terms “BS”and “TRP” are used interchangeably in this patent document to refer tonetwork infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remoteterminals. Also, depending on the network type, the term “userequipment” or “UE” can refer to any component such as “mobile station,”“subscriber station,” “remote terminal,” “wireless terminal,” “receivepoint,” or “user device.” For the sake of convenience, the terms “userequipment” and “UE” are used in this patent document to refer to remotewireless equipment that wirelessly accesses a BS, whether the UE is amobile device (such as a mobile telephone or smartphone) or is normallyconsidered a stationary device (such as a desktop computer or vendingmachine).

Dotted lines show the approximate extents of the coverage areas 120 and125, which are shown as approximately circular for the purposes ofillustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood thatthe coverage areas associated with gNBs, such as the coverage areas 120and 125, may have other shapes, including irregular shapes, dependingupon the configuration of the gNBs and variations in the radioenvironment associated with natural and man-made obstructions.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a wireless network, variouschanges may be made to FIG. 1 . For example, the wireless network couldinclude any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in any suitablearrangement. Also, the gNB 101 could communicate directly with anynumber of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access tothe network 130. Similarly, each gNB 102-103 could communicate directlywith the network 130 and provide UEs with direct wireless broadbandaccess to the network 130. Further, the gNBs 101, 102, and/or 103 couldprovide access to other or additional external networks, such asexternal telephone networks or other types of data networks.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example gNB 102 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The embodiment of the gNB 102 illustrated in FIG. 2is for illustration only, and the gNBs 101 and 103 of FIG. 1 could havethe same or similar configuration. However, gNBs come in a wide varietyof configurations, and FIG. 2 does not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure to any particular implementation of a gNB.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the gNB 102 includes multiple antennas 205 a-205 n,multiple RF transceivers 210 a-210 n, transmit (TX) processing circuitry215, and receive (RX) processing circuitry 220. The gNB 102 alsoincludes a controller/processor 225, a memory 230, and a backhaul ornetwork interface 235.

The RF transceivers 210 a-210 n receive, from the antennas 205 a-205 n,incoming RF signals, such as signals transmitted by UEs in the network100. The RF transceivers 210 a-210 n down-convert the incoming RFsignals to generate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signalsare sent to the RX processing circuitry 220, which generates processedbaseband signals by filtering, decoding, and/or digitizing the basebandor IF signals. The RX processing circuitry 220 transmits the processedbaseband signals to the controller/processor 225 for further processing.

The TX processing circuitry 215 receives analog or digital data (such asvoice data, web data, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from thecontroller/processor 225. The TX processing circuitry 215 encodes,multiplexes, and/or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generateprocessed baseband or IF signals. The RF transceivers 210 a-210 nreceive the outgoing processed baseband or IF signals from the TXprocessing circuitry 215 and up-converts the baseband or IF signals toRF signals that are transmitted via the antennas 205 a-205 n.

The controller/processor 225 can include one or more processors or otherprocessing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102.For example, the controller/processor 225 could control the reception offorward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signalsby the RF transceivers 210 a-210 n, the RX processing circuitry 220, andthe TX processing circuitry 215 in accordance with well-knownprinciples. The controller/processor 225 could support additionalfunctions as well, such as more advanced wireless communicationfunctions. For instance, the controller/processor 225 could support beamforming or directional routing operations in which outgoing signals frommultiple antennas 205 a-205 n are weighted differently to effectivelysteer the outgoing signals in a desired direction. Any of a wide varietyof other functions could be supported in the gNB 102 by thecontroller/processor 225.

The controller/processor 225 is also capable of executing programs andother processes resident in the memory 230, such as an OS. Thecontroller/processor 225 can move data into or out of the memory 230 asrequired by an executing process.

The controller/processor 225 is also coupled to the backhaul or networkinterface 235. The backhaul or network interface 235 allows the gNB 102to communicate with other devices or systems over a backhaul connectionor over a network. The interface 235 could support communications overany suitable wired or wireless connection(s). For example, when the gNB102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such asone supporting 5G, LTE, or LTE-A), the interface 235 could allow the gNB102 to communicate with other gNBs over a wired or wireless backhaulconnection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, theinterface 235 could allow the gNB 102 to communicate over a wired orwireless local area network or over a wired or wireless connection to alarger network (such as the Internet). The interface 235 includes anysuitable structure supporting communications over a wired or wirelessconnection, such as an Ethernet or RF transceiver.

The memory 230 is coupled to the controller/processor 225. Part of thememory 230 could include a RAM, and another part of the memory 230 couldinclude a Flash memory or other ROM.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates one example of the gNB 102, various changesmay be made to FIG. 2 . For example, the gNB 102 could include anynumber of each component shown in FIG. 2 . As a particular example, anaccess point could include a number of interfaces 235, and thecontroller/processor 225 could support routing functions to route databetween different network addresses. As another particular example,while shown as including a single instance of TX processing circuitry215 and a single instance of RX processing circuitry 220, the gNB 102could include multiple instances of each (such as one per RFtransceiver). Also, various components in FIG. 2 could be combined,further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be addedaccording to particular needs.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example UE 116 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The embodiment of the UE 116 illustrated in FIG. 3is for illustration only, and the UEs 111-115 of FIG. 1 could have thesame or similar configuration. However, UEs come in a wide variety ofconfigurations, and FIG. 3 does not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure to any particular implementation of a UE.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the UE 116 includes an antenna 305, a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver 310, TX processing circuitry 315, amicrophone 320, and receive (RX) processing circuitry 325. The UE 116also includes a speaker 330, a processor 340, an input/output (I/O)interface (IF) 345, a touchscreen 350, a display 355, and a memory 360.The memory 360 includes an operating system (OS) 361 and one or moreapplications 362.

The RF transceiver 310 receives, from the antenna 305, an incoming RFsignal transmitted by a gNB of the network 100. The RF transceiver 310down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate an intermediatefrequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is sent tothe RX processing circuitry 325, which generates a processed basebandsignal by filtering, decoding, and/or digitizing the baseband or IFsignal. The RX processing circuitry 325 transmits the processed basebandsignal to the speaker 330 (such as for voice data) or to the processor340 for further processing (such as for web browsing data).

The TX processing circuitry 315 receives analog or digital voice datafrom the microphone 320 or other outgoing baseband data (such as webdata, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from the processor 340.The TX processing circuitry 315 encodes, multiplexes, and/or digitizesthe outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IFsignal. The RF transceiver 310 receives the outgoing processed basebandor IF signal from the TX processing circuitry 315 and up-converts thebaseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted via theantenna 305.

The processor 340 can include one or more processors or other processingdevices and execute the OS 361 stored in the memory 360 in order tocontrol the overall operation of the UE 116. For example, the processor340 could control the reception of forward channel signals and thetransmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceiver 310, theRX processing circuitry 325, and the TX processing circuitry 315 inaccordance with well-known principles. In some embodiments, theprocessor 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

The processor 340 is also capable of executing other processes andprograms resident in the memory 360, such as processes for beammanagement. The processor 340 can move data into or out of the memory360 as required by an executing process. In some embodiments, theprocessor 340 is configured to execute the applications 362 based on theOS 361 or in response to signals received from gNBs or an operator. Theprocessor 340 is also coupled to the I/O interface 345, which providesthe UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices, such as laptopcomputers and handheld computers. The I/O interface 345 is thecommunication path between these accessories and the processor 340.

The processor 340 is also coupled to the touchscreen 350 and the display355. The operator of the UE 116 can use the touchscreen 350 to enterdata into the UE 116. The display 355 may be a liquid crystal display,light emitting diode display, or other display capable of rendering textand/or at least limited graphics, such as from web sites.

The memory 360 is coupled to the processor 340. Part of the memory 360could include a random-access memory (RAM), and another part of thememory 360 could include a Flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

Although FIG. 3 illustrates one example of the UE 116, various changesmay be made to FIG. 3 . For example, various components in FIG. 3 couldbe combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional componentscould be added according to particular needs. As a particular example,the processor 340 could be divided into multiple processors, such as oneor more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphicsprocessing units (GPUs). Also, while FIG. 3 illustrates the UE 116configured as a mobile telephone or smartphone, UEs could be configuredto operate as other types of mobile or stationary devices.

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communicationsystems and, more specifically, to reducing power consumption for a userequipment (UE) communicating with a base station and to transmissions toand receptions from a UE of physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs)for operation with dual connectivity. A communication system includes adownlink (DL) that refers to transmissions from a base station or one ormore transmission points to UEs and an uplink (UL) that refers totransmissions from UEs to a base station or to one or more receptionpoints.

To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased sincedeployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made todevelop an improved 5G or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5Gor pre-5G communication system is also called a “beyond 4G network” or a“post LTE system.” The 5G communication system is considered to beimplemented in higher frequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., 60 GHz bands, soas to accomplish higher data rates. To decrease propagation loss of theradio waves and increase the transmission distance, the beamforming,massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO(FD-MIMO), array antenna, an analog beam forming, large scale antennatechniques are discussed in 5G communication systems. In addition, in 5Gcommunication systems, development for system network improvement isunder way based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks(RANs), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication,wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperative communication,coordinated multi-points (CoMP), reception-end interference cancellationand the like.

A time unit for DL signaling or for UL signaling on a cell is referredto as a slot and can include one or more symbols. A symbol can alsoserve as an additional time unit. A frequency (or bandwidth (BW)) unitis referred to as a resource block (RB). One RB includes a number ofsub-carriers (SCs). For example, a slot can include 14 symbols, haveduration of 1 millisecond or 0.5 milliseconds, and an RB can have a BWof 180 kHz or 360 kHz and include 12 SCs with inter-SC spacing of 15 kHzor 30 kHz, respectively.

DL signals include data signals conveying information content, controlsignals conveying DL control information (DCI) formats, and referencesignals (RS) that are also known as pilot signals. A gNB can transmitdata information (e.g., transport blocks) or DCI formats throughrespective physical DL shared channels (PDSCHs) or physical DL controlchannels (PDCCHs). A gNB can transmit one or more of multiple types ofRS including channel state information RS (CSI-RS) and demodulation RS(DMRS). A CSI-RS is intended for UEs to measure channel stateinformation (CSI) or to perform other measurements such as ones relatedto mobility support. A DMRS can be transmitted only in the BW of arespective PDCCH or PDSCH and a UE can use the DMRS to demodulate dataor control information.

UL signals also include data signals conveying information content,control signals conveying UL control information (UCI), and RS. A UEtransmits data information (e.g., transport blocks) or UCI through arespective physical UL shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical UL controlchannel (PUCCH). When a UE simultaneously transmits data information andUCI, the UE can multiplex both in a PUSCH or transmit them separately inrespective PUSCH and PUCCH. UCI includes hybrid automatic repeat requestacknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) information, indicating correct or incorrectdetection of data transport blocks (TBs) by a UE, scheduling request(SR) indicating whether a UE has data in the UE's buffer, and CSIreports enabling a gNB to select appropriate parameters to perform linkadaptation for PDSCH or PDCCH transmissions to a UE.

A CSI report from a UE can include a channel quality indicator (CQI)informing a gNB of a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the UE todetect a data TB with a predetermined block error rate (BLER), such as a10% BLER, of a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) informing a gNB how toprecode signaling to a UE, and of a rank indicator (RI) indicating atransmission rank for a PDSCH. UL RS includes DMRS and sounding RS(SRS). DMRS is transmitted only in a BW of a respective PUSCH or PUCCHtransmission. A gNB can use a DMRS to demodulate information in arespective PUSCH or PUCCH. SRS is transmitted by a UE to provide a gNBwith UL CSI and, for a TDD or a flexible duplex system, to also providea PMI for DL transmissions. An UL DMRS or SRS transmission can be based,for example, on a transmission of a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence or, ingeneral, of a CAZAC sequence.

DL transmissions and UL transmissions can be based on an orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform including a variantusing DFT precoding that is known as DFT-spread-OFDM.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example transmitter structure 400 using OFDMaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of thetransmitter structure 400 shown in FIG. 4 is for illustration only. Oneor more of the components illustrated in FIG. 4 can be implemented inspecialized circuitry configured to perform the noted functions or oneor more of the components can be implemented by one or more processorsexecuting instructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodimentsare used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Information bits, such as DCI bits or data bits 410, are encoded byencoder 420, rate matched to assigned time/frequency resources by ratematcher 430 and modulated by modulator 440. Subsequently, modulatedencoded symbols and DMRS or CSI-RS 450 are mapped to SCs 460 by SCmapping unit 465, an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) is performedby filter 470, a cyclic prefix (CP) is added by CP insertion unit 480,and a resulting signal is filtered by filter 490 and transmitted by aradio frequency (RF) unit 495.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example receiver structure 500 using OFDMaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of thereceiver structure 500 shown in FIG. 5 is for illustration only. One ormore of the components illustrated in FIG. 5 can be implemented inspecialized circuitry configured to perform the noted functions or oneor more of the components can be implemented by one or more processorsexecuting instructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodimentsare used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

A received signal 510 is filtered by filter 520, a CP removal unitremoves a CP 530, a filter 540 applies a fast Fourier transform (FFT),SCs de-mapping unit 550 de-maps SCs selected by BW selector unit 555,received symbols are demodulated by a channel estimator and ademodulator unit 560, a rate de-matcher 570 restores a rate matching,and a decoder 580 decodes the resulting bits to provide information bits590.

A UE typically monitors multiple candidate locations for respectivepotential PDCCH transmissions to decode multiple candidate DCI formatsin a slot. Monitoring a PDCCH candidates means receiving and decodingthe PDCCH candidate according to DCI formats the UE is configured toreceive. A DCI format includes cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits inorder for the UE to confirm a correct detection of the DCI format. A DCIformat type is identified by a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI)that scrambles the CRC bits. For a DCI format scheduling a PDSCH or aPUSCH to a single UE, the RNTI can be a cell RNTI (C-RNTI) and serves asa UE identifier.

For a DCI format scheduling a PDSCH conveying system information (SI),the RNTI can be an SI-RNTI. For a DCI format scheduling a PDSCHproviding a random-access response (RAR), the RNTI can be an RA-RNTI.For a DCI format scheduling a PDSCH or a PUSCH to a single UE prior to aUE establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection with a servinggNB, the RNTI can be a temporary C-RNTI (TC-RNTI). For a DCI formatproviding TPC commands to a group of UEs, the RNTI can be aTPC-PUSCH-RNTI or a TPC-PUCCH-RNTI. Each RNTI type can be configured toa UE through higher layer signaling such as RRC signaling. A DCI formatscheduling PDSCH transmission to a UE is also referred to as DL DCIformat or DL assignment while a DCI format scheduling PUSCH transmissionfrom a UE is also referred to as UL DCI format or UL grant.

A PDCCH transmission can be within a set of physical RBs (PRBs). A gNBcan configure a UE one or more sets of PRBs, also referred to as controlresource sets, for PDCCH receptions. A PDCCH transmission can be incontrol channel elements (CCEs) that are included in a control resourceset. A UE determines CCEs for a PDCCH reception based on a search spacesuch as a UE-specific search space (USS) for PDCCH candidates with DCIformat having CRC scrambled by a RNTI, such as a C-RNTI, that isconfigured to the UE by UE-specific RRC signaling for scheduling PDSCHreception or PUSCH transmission, and a common search space (CSS) forPDCCH candidates with DCI formats having CRC scrambled by other RNTIs. Aset of CCEs that can be used for PDCCH transmission to a UE define aPDCCH candidate location. A property of a control resource set istransmission configuration indication (TCI) state that provides quasico-location information of the DMRS antenna port for PDCCH reception.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example encoding process 600 for a DCI formataccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of theencoding process 600 shown in FIG. 6 is for illustration only. One ormore of the components illustrated in FIG. 6 can be implemented inspecialized circuitry configured to perform the noted functions or oneor more of the components can be implemented by one or more processorsexecuting instructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodimentsare used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

A gNB separately encodes and transmits each DCI format in a respectivePDCCH. A RNTI masks a CRC of the DCI format codeword in order to enablethe UE to identify the DCI format. For example, the CRC and the RNTI caninclude, for example, 16 bits or 24 bits. The CRC of (non-coded) DCIformat bits 610 is determined using a CRC computation unit 620, and theCRC is masked using an exclusive OR (XOR) operation unit 630 between CRCbits and RNTI bits 640. The XOR operation is defined as XOR (0, 0)=0,XOR (0, 1)=1, XOR (1, 0)=1, XOR (1, 1)=0. The masked CRC bits areappended to DCI format information bits using a CRC append unit 650. Anencoder 660 performs channel coding (such as tail-biting convolutionalcoding or polar coding), followed by rate matching to allocatedresources by rate matcher 670. Interleaving and modulation units 680apply interleaving and modulation, such as QPSK, and the output controlsignal 690 is transmitted.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example decoding process 700 for a DCI format foruse with a UE according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Anembodiment of the decoding process 700 shown in FIG. 7 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 7can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

A received control signal 710 is demodulated and de-interleaved by ademodulator and a de-interleaver 720. A rate matching applied at a gNBtransmitter is restored by rate matcher 730, and resulting bits aredecoded by decoder 740. After decoding, a CRC extractor 750 extracts CRCbits and provides DCI format information bits 760. The DCI formatinformation bits are de-masked 770 by an XOR operation with an RNTI 780(when applicable) and a CRC check is performed by unit 790. When the CRCcheck succeeds (checksum is zero), the DCI format information bits areconsidered to be valid. When the CRC check does not succeed, the DCIformat information bits are considered to be invalid.

Traditionally, cellular communication networks have been designed toestablish wireless communication links between mobile user equipments(UEs) and fixed communication infrastructure components (such as basestations (BSs) or access points (APs)) that serve UEs in a wide or localgeographic range. However, a wireless network can also be implemented byutilizing only device-to-device (D2D) communication links without theneed for fixed infrastructure components. This type of network istypically referred to as an “ad-hoc” network.

A hybrid communication network can support devices that connect both tofixed infrastructure components and to other D2D-enabled devices. WhileUEs such as smartphones can be envisioned for D2D networks, vehicularcommunication can also be supported by a communication protocol wherevehicles exchange control or data information with other vehicles orother infrastructure or UEs. Such a network is referred to as avehicle-to-everything (V2X) network. Multiple types of communicationlinks can be supported by nodes supporting V2X in the network and canutilize same or different protocols and systems.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example use case of a vehicle-centriccommunication network 800 according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. An embodiment of the use case of a vehicle-centriccommunication network 800 shown in FIG. 8 is for illustration only. Oneor more of the components illustrated in FIG. 8 can be implemented inspecialized circuitry configured to perform the noted functions or oneor more of the components can be implemented by one or more processorsexecuting instructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodimentsare used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example use case of a vehicle-centriccommunication network according to illustrative embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

The vehicular communication, referred to as vehicle-to-everything (V2X),contains the following three different types: 1) vehicle-to-vehicle(V2V) communications; 2) vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications;and 3) vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications. These three types ofV2X can use “co-operative awareness” to provide more intelligentservices for end-users. This means that transport entities, such asvehicles, roadside infrastructure, and pedestrians, can collectknowledge of their local environment (e.g., information received fromother vehicles or sensor equipment in proximity) to process and sharethat knowledge in order to provide more intelligent services, such ascooperative collision warning or autonomous driving. Directcommunication between vehicles in V2V is based on a sidelink (SL)interface, and SL is the UE to UE interface for synchronization,discovery, and communication.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example mapping pattern of SS/PBCH block in a slot900 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment ofthe mapping pattern of SS/PBCH block in a slot 900 shown in FIG. 9 isfor illustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG.9 can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

In new radio (NR) Rel-15, SS/PBCH blocks could be transmitted in abeam-sweeping way up to network implementation, and multiple candidatelocation for transmitting SS/PBCH blocks are predefined within a unit ofhalf frame. The mapping pattern of SS/PBCH blocks to 1 slot with respectto 15 kHz as the reference SCS for sub6 GHz and with respect to 60 kHzas the reference SCS for above 6 GHz are illustrated in 901 and 902 ofFIG. 9 , respectively. Two mapping patterns are designed for 30 kHz SSSCS: Pattern 1 is utilized for non-LTE-NR coexistence bands, and Pattern2 is utilized for LTE-NR coexistence bands.

The maximum number of SS/PBCH blocks, denoted as L_SSB, is determinedbased on carrier frequency range: for carrier frequency range 0 GHz to 3GHz, L_SSB is 4; for carrier frequency range 3 GHz to 6 GHz, L_SSB is 8;for carrier frequency range 6 GHz to 52.6 GHz, L_SSB is 64. Thedetermination of the slots within the half frame unit which contains thecandidate locations of SS/PBCH blocks, with respect to each combinationof SS SCS and L_SSB, is illustrated in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 10 illustrates an example mapping pattern of SS/PBCH block in ahalf frame 1000 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Anembodiment of the mapping pattern of SS/PBCH block in a half frame 1000shown in FIG. 10 is for illustration only. One or more of the componentsillustrated in FIG. 10 can be implemented in specialized circuitryconfigured to perform the noted functions or one or more of thecomponents can be implemented by one or more processors executinginstructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodiments are usedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In initial cell selection, a UE assumes a default SS burst setperiodicity as 20 ms, and for detecting non-standalone NR cell, anetwork provides one SS burst set periodicity information per frequencycarrier to the UE and information to derive measurement timing/durationif possible.

In NR V2X, the synchronization signals on NR sidelink can use thesynchronization signals on downlink as a baseline, and potentialenhancement and/or modification to address the exclusive requirement forV2X can be supported. This present disclosure focuses on the design ofthe transmission of sidelink SS/PBCH block (S-SSB).

This present disclosure focuses on the design of the transmission ofsidelink SS/PBCH block (S-SSB), wherein the following components aredetailed in the disclosure: transmission patterns; configurability ofthe transmission patterns; QCL assumption in the transmission of S-SSB;scalable transmission with respect to SCS; and timing determination inS-SSB.

In one embodiment, the transmission of sidelink synchronization signalsand physical broadcast channel blocks (S-SSB) is periodical, wherein theperiodicity can be fixed as P_SSB (e.g., P_SSB=160 ms), and thetransmission of S-SSBs are within a S-SSB period with duration same asthe periodicity. Within a S-SSB period (e.g., P_SSB), the number oftransmitted S-SSB can be (pre-)configurable within a set of predefinedvalues, wherein the maximum (pre-) configurable value is fixed persupported subcarrier spacing (SCS) of S-SSB and per carrier frequencyrange (FR). In this disclosure, denote the maximum number of(pre-)configurable S-SSBs for a given SCS and a given FR as M_SSB, anddenote the (pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSB as N_SSB,wherein N_SSB≤M_SSB, and M_SSB can be dividable by N_SSB (i.e., M_SSBmod N_SSB=0).

At least one of the examples and/or embodiments for the transmissionpattern of S-SSB in this disclosure can be supported, and thetransmission pattern can be (pre-)configurable if multiple transmissionpatterns of S-SSB are supported.

In one example, the transmission of N_SSB number of S-SSBs isconsecutive in time domain, e.g., the transmission of S-SSBs occupiesN_SSB consecutive slots in time domain.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example transmission pattern for S-SSB 1100according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of thetransmission pattern for S-SSB 1100 shown in FIG. 11 is for illustrationonly. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 11 can beimplemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform the notedfunctions or one or more of the components can be implemented by one ormore processors executing instructions to perform the noted functions.Other embodiments are used without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

In one embodiment, the offset (e.g., denoted as O_SSB) for thetransmission of S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted as P_SSB)can be fixed. For example, the offset is fixed as 0 slot, such that thesidelink UE always assumes the transmission of the burst of N_SSB S-SSBsstarts from the first slot of the period.

In another embodiment, the offset (e.g., denoted as O_SSB) for thetransmission of S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted as P_SSB)can be configurable or pre-configured. For one example, the(pre-)configuration of the offset is associated with the(pre-)configuration of the number of transmitted S-SSBs. For anotherexample, the configuration of the offset is indicated in the payload ofPSBCH. For yet another example, the configuration of the offset isindicated by the combination of DMRS sequence of PSBCH and the payloadof PSBCH.

In another embodiment, the transmission of N_SSB number of S-SSBs isevenly distributed in time domain within a S-SSB period with the sameinterval, wherein each S-SSB has a separate transmission burst and thedistance between slots containing two neighboring S-SSBs is D_SSB, whichis in the unit of slot and only applicable when N_SSB>1.

In one example, D_SSB is fixed with a value from 1≤D_SSB≤P_SSB/N_SSB.

In another example, D_SSB is configurable or pre-configured. Forinstance, one value (pre-)configured from 1≤D_SSB≤P_SSB/N_SSB.

In one example, the UE assumes the S-SSBs within a S-SSB period aretransmitted in slots O_SSB+I_SSB*D_SSB, wherein I_SSB is the index ofS-SSB within the configured number N_SSB of S-SSBs in the period, with0≤I_SSB≤N_SSB−1.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example transmission pattern for S-SSB 1200according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of thetransmission pattern for S-SSB 1200 shown in FIG. 12 is for illustrationonly. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 12 can beimplemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform the notedfunctions or one or more of the components can be implemented by one ormore processors executing instructions to perform the noted functions.Other embodiments are used without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

In one example, the offset (e.g., denoted as O_SSB) for the transmissionof S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted as P_SSB) can be fixed.For example, the offset is fixed as 0 slot, such that the sidelink UEalways assumes the transmission of the burst of N_SSB S-SSBs starts fromthe first slot of the S-SSB period.

In another example, the offset (e.g., denoted as O_SSB) for thetransmission of S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted as P_SSB)can be configurable or pre-configured. The offset denotes the slotoffset between the slot including the first S-SSB in the period and thefirst slot in the period, where the first slot in the period is definedas the first slot of frame whose SFN/DFN satisfying SFN mod(P_SSB/10)=0, wherein P_SSB is the default periodicity of S-SSB with aunit of ms. For one example, the (pre-)configuration of the offset isassociated with the (pre-) configuration of the number of transmittedS-SSBs.

In yet another example, the configuration of the offset is indicated inthe payload of PSBCH. For yet another example, the configuration of theoffset is indicated by the combination of DMRS sequence of PSBCH and thepayload of PSBCH.

In yet another example, the range of values for O_SSB can be determinedas {0, . . . , P_SSB/N_SSB−1}.

In yet another example, the transmission of a group within the N_SSBnumber of S-SSBs is uniformly distributed in time domain within a S-SSBperiod, wherein each group of S-SSBs (e.g., with a group size of G_SSB)has a separate transmission burst and the distance between the start oftransmission of two neighboring groups of S-SSBs is P_SSB/G_SSB.

In yet another example, the range of values for O_SSB can be determinedas {0, . . . , P_SSB/G_SSB−1}.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another example transmission pattern for S-SSB1300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodimentof the transmission pattern for S-SSB 1300 shown in FIG. 13 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 13can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

In one example, the offset (e.g., denoted as O_SSB) for the transmissionof S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted as P_SSB) can be fixed.For example, the offset is fixed as 0 slot, such that the sidelink UEalways assumes the transmission of the burst of N_SSB S-SSBs starts fromthe first slot of the S-SSB period.

In another example, the offset (e.g., denoted as O_SSB) for thetransmission of S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted as P_SSB)can be configurable or pre-configured. For one example, the(pre-)configuration of the offset is associated with the(pre-)configuration of the number of transmitted S-SSBs. For anotherexample, the configuration of the offset is indicated in the payload ofPSBCH. For yet another example, the configuration of the offset isindicated by the combination of DMRS sequence of PSBCH and the payloadof PSBCH.

In yet another example, the group size (e.g., G_SSB) can be dividable byN_SSB, and value of G_SSB can be configurable or pre-configured. For oneexample, the (pre-)configuration of the group size is associated withthe (pre-)configuration of the number of transmitted S-SSBs. For anotherexample, the configuration of the group size is indicated in the payloadof PSBCH. For yet another example, the configuration of the group sizeis indicated by the combination of DMRS sequence of PSBCH and thepayload of PSBCH.

In yet another example, the transmission of the N_SSB number of S-SSBsis confined within a window (e.g., denoted as W_SSB) within a S-SSBperiod.

FIG. 14 illustrates yet another example transmission pattern for S-SSB1400 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodimentof the transmission pattern for S-SSB 1400 shown in FIG. 14 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 14can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

In one example, the window (e.g., denoted as W_SSB) for the transmissionof S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted as P_SSB) can be fixed.For example, the window has a fixed window offset (e.g., 0 slot) and afixed window duration (e.g., 10 ms).

In another example, the duration of the window (e.g., denoted as W_SSB)for the transmission of S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted asP_SSB) can be scalable with the number of transmitted S-SSBs. Forexample, the window has a fixed window offset (e.g., 0 slot) and ascalable window duration with respect to the number of transmittedS-SSBs (e.g., if the number of transmitted S-SSBs doubled, the windowduration also doubled).

In yet another example, the duration of the window (e.g., denoted asW_SSB) for the transmission of S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g.,denoted as P_SSB) can be (pre)-configurable. For one example, the(pre-)configuration of the duration of the window is associated with the(pre-) configuration of the number of transmitted S-SSBs. For anotherexample, the configuration of the duration of the window is indicated inthe payload of PSBCH. For yet another example, the configuration of theduration of the window is indicated by the combination of DMRS sequenceof PSBCH and the payload of PSBCH.

In yet another example, the transmission of the S-SSBs within the windowis (pre-) configured and indicated by a bitmap. For one example, the(pre-)configuration of the bitmap is associated with the(pre-)configuration of the number of transmitted S-SSBs. For anotherexample, the configuration of the bitmap is indicated in the payload ofPSBCH. For yet another example, the configuration of the bitmap isindicated by the combination of DMRS sequence of PSBCH and the payloadof PSBCH. For yet another example, the bit-width of the bitmap equalsthe number of slots in the window for the transmission of S-SSBs.

In yet another example, the transmission of the N_SSB number of S-SSBsis confined within at least one window within a S-SSB period.

FIG. 15 illustrates yet another example transmission pattern for S-SSB1500 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodimentof the transmission pattern for S-SSB 1500 shown in FIG. 15 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 15can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

In one example, the number of windows for the transmission of S-SSBswithin a S-SSB period can be fixed.

In another example, the number of the windows for the transmission ofS-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted as P_SSB) can be(pre)-configurable. For one example, the (pre-) configuration of thenumber of the windows is associated with the (pre-)configuration of thenumber of transmitted S-SSBs. For another example, the configuration ofthe number of the windows is indicated in the payload of PSBCH. For yetanother example, the configuration of the number of the windows isindicated by the combination of DMRS sequence of PSBCH and the payloadof PSBCH.

In yet another example, the transmission of the S-SSBs within a windowis (pre-) configured and indicated by a bitmap. For one example, the(pre-)configuration of the bitmap is associated with the(pre-)configuration of the number of transmitted S-SSBs in a window. Foranother example, the configuration of the bitmap is indicated in thepayload of PSBCH. For yet another example, the configuration of thebitmap is indicated by the combination of DMRS sequence of PSBCH and thepayload of PSBCH. For yet another example, the bit-width of the bitmapequals the number of slots in the window for the transmission of S-SSBs.

Example (pre-)configurations for the transmission of S-SSB are accordingto the embodiments and examples covered in this disclosure.

In one example, the (pre-)configuration for the transmission of S-SSBsincludes a number of transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., N_SSB), and a number ofgroups for the transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., G_SSB), wherein N_SSB is aninteger multiple of G_SSB. For instance, N_SSB=2{circumflex over ( )}n,and G_SSB=2{circumflex over ( )}g, wherein 0≤g≤n. The period for S-SSBtransmission (e.g., P_SSB) can be divided into G_SSB groups, whereineach group has a duration of P_SSB/G_SSB, and there are N_SSB/G_SSBS-SSBs transmitted in each of the group. In one example, thetransmission locations of the S-SSBs are the same for all the groupswithin the corresponding divided duration, e.g., consecutive from thebeginning of the divided duration.

In one sub-example, G_SSB, can be (pre-)configured as any value with theform G_SSB=2{circumflex over ( )}g, wherein 0≤g≤n. In anothersub-example, G_SSB, can be (pre-)configured as a value with the formG_SSB=2{circumflex over ( )}g, wherein 0≤g≤min(n, k), and k is apredefined value (e.g., k=2 or k=3). In one example, the configurabilityof the number of groups (e.g., G_SSB) is equivalent to theconfigurability of the number of S-SSBs in a group (e.g., N_SSB/G_SSB),for a given number of transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., N_SSB).

FIG. 16 illustrates an example configuration for S-SSB transmission 1600according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of theconfiguration for S-SSB transmission 1600 shown in FIG. 16 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 16can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

An illustration of the example (pre-)configuration of transmission forS-SSB is shown in FIG. 16 , wherein the group number (e.g., G_SSB) canbe (pre-)configured as one from 1 (1603 in FIG. 16 ), 2 (1602 in FIG. 16), and 4 (1601 in FIG. 16 ), with the number of transmitted S-SSB (e.g.,N_SSB) as 4.

In another example, the (pre-)configuration for the transmission ofS-SSBs includes a number of transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., N_SSB), a numberof groups for the transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., G_SSB), and an offsetwithin the group of S-SSBs (e.g., O_SSB), wherein N_SSB is an integermultiple of G_SSB. For instance, N_SSB=2{circumflex over ( )}n, andG_SSB=2{circumflex over ( )}g, wherein 0≤g≤n. The period for S-SSBtransmission (e.g., P_SSB) can be divided into G_SSB groups, whereineach group has a duration of P_SSB/G_SSB, and there are N_SSB/G_SSBS-SSBs transmitted in each of the group with an offset O_SSB. In oneexample, the transmission locations of the S-SSBs are the same for allthe groups within the corresponding divided duration, e.g., consecutivefrom the beginning of the divided duration with an offset O_SSB. In onesub-example, G_SSB can be (pre-) configured as any value with the formG_SSB=2{circumflex over ( )}g, wherein 0≤g≤n.

In another sub-example, G_SSB can be (pre-)configured as a value withthe form G_SSB=2{circumflex over ( )}g, wherein 0≤g≤min(n, k), and k isa predefined value (e.g., k=2 or k=3). In one example, theconfigurability of the number of groups (e.g., G_SSB) is equivalent tothe configurability of the number of S-SSBs in a group (e.g.,N_SSB/G_SSB), for a given number of transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., N_SSB).

FIG. 17 illustrates another example configuration for S-SSB transmission1700 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodimentof the configuration for S-SSB transmission 1700 shown in FIG. 17 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 17can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

An illustration of the example (pre-)configuration of transmission forS-SSB is shown in FIG. 17 , wherein the group number (e.g., G_SSB) canbe (pre-)configured as one from 1 (1703 in FIG. 17 ), 2 (1702 in FIG. 17), or 4 (1701 in FIG. 17 ), with the number of transmitted S-SSB (e.g.,N_SSB) as 4.

In one embodiment, there can be QCL assumption among S-SSB (e.g., theSSS and/or DMRS of PSBCH in the S-SSB) in different S-SSB periods, andS-SSBs with the same relative slot index within the S-SSB period (e.g.,same slot index in a frame and same 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th LSB ofDFN/SFN if periodicity is 160 ms) or with the same S-SSB index (e.g., aS-SSB index is defined as relative index within the number oftransmitted S-SSBs) are QCLed.

In one example, in addition to the QCL assumption across S-SSB periods,there can be extra QCL assumption among S-SSBs within the same S-SSBperiod. At least one of the following embodiments and/or examples ofembodiment can be supported and can be (pre-)configurable among thesupported embodiment and/or examples of embodiment if more than oneembodiment and/or more than one example are supported.

In one embodiment, there can be no QCL assumption among S-SSBs in thesame S-SSB period.

In another embodiment, there can be a fixed QCL assumption among S-SSBsin the same S-SSB period. For example, all the S-SSBs in the same S-SSBperiod are assumed to be QCLed, regardless of the transmission patternof the S-SSBs.

In yet another embodiment, the QCL assumption can be associated with thetransmission pattern.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example QCL assumption associated with the (pre-)configuration of transmission for S-SSB 1800 according to embodiments ofQCL assumption associated with the (pre-) configuration of transmissionfor S-SSB 1800 shown in FIG. 18 is for illustration only. One or more ofthe components illustrated in FIG. 18 can be implemented in specializedcircuitry configured to perform the noted functions or one or more ofthe components can be implemented by one or more processors executinginstructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodiments are usedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In one example, when the transmission of S-SSBs are divided into atleast one group within a S-SSB period (e.g., at least one burst oftransmission), S-SSBs within a group are assumed to be QCLed (e.g.,denoted as QCL assumption Pattern 1). An illustration of the example QCLassumption associated with the (pre-)configuration of transmission forS-SSB is shown in 1801 of FIG. 18 , wherein the number of groups oftransmitted S-SSBs is 2 (e.g., G_SSB=2), and the number of transmittedS-SSBs is 4 (e.g., N_SSB=4).

In one example, when the transmission of S-SSBs are divided into atleast one group within a S-SSB period (e.g., at least one burst oftransmission), S-SSBs in different groups and with same relative indexwithin the group are assumed to be QCLed (e.g., denoted as QCLassumption Pattern 2). An illustration of the example QCL assumptionassociated with the (pre-) configuration of transmission for S-SSB isshown in 1802 of FIG. 18 , wherein the number of groups of transmittedS-SSBs is 2 (e.g., G_SSB=2), and the number of transmitted S-SSBs is 4(e.g., N_SSB=4).

In yet another example, there is an indication of either of the abovetwo example QCL assumptions, e.g., (pre-)configuration of the QCLassumption pattern of either S-SSBs within a group assumed to be QCLed(e.g., Pattern 1) or S-SSBs in different groups and with same relativeindex within the group assumed to be QCLed (e.g., Pattern 2). Forexample, (pre-)configuration of the QCL assumption of either 1801 (e.g.,Pattern 1) or 1802 (e.g., Pattern 2) of FIG. 18 , wherein the number ofgroups of transmitted S-SSBs is 2 (e.g., G_SSB=2), and the number oftransmitted S-SSBs is 4 (e.g., N_SSB=4).

In yet another example, the QCL assumption can be (pre-)configured amongno QCL assumption within a S-SSB period, QCL assumption Pattern 1, orQCL assumption Pattern 2.

In yet another example, the QCL assumption can be (pre-)configurable,e.g., separately from the possibly (pre-)configurable transmissionpattern if supported. For example, there can be a parameter for QCLassumption derivation (pre-)configured, e.g., denoted as Q_SSB, whereinQ_SSB is dividable by N_SSB. For one instance, Q_SSB can be(pre-)configured and associated to the (pre-)configuration of the numberof transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., N_SSB). For another instance, Q_SSB can beconfigured in the payload of PSBCH. In one example, the (pre-)configurability of Q_SSB is the equivalent as the (pre-)configurabilityof N_SSB/Q_SSB, for a given N_SSB.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example (pre-)configurable QCL assumption fortransmitted S-SSB 1900 according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. An embodiment of the (pre-) configurable QCL assumption fortransmitted S-SSB 1900 shown in FIG. 19 is for illustration only. One ormore of the components illustrated in FIG. 19 can be implemented inspecialized circuitry configured to perform the noted functions or oneor more of the components can be implemented by one or more processorsexecuting instructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodimentsare used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In one example, denote the relative index of S-SSB within the N_SSBnumber of transmitted S-SSBs as i_SSB (e.g., defined as S-SSB index),wherein 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB−1, then S-SSBs within the N_SSB number oftransmitted S-SSBs are assumed to be QCLed, if floor(i_SSB/Q_SSB) of theS-SSBs are the same, wherein “floor(X)” is the floor operating as thelargest integer smaller than or equal to X. This example can be denotedas QCL assumption Pattern 1. An illustration of the example(pre-)configurable QCL assumption for transmitted S-SSB is shown in1901, 1902, and 1903 of FIG. 19 , wherein the number of transmittedS-SSBs is 4 (e.g., N_SSB=4), and (pre-)configured QCL parameter is 2(e.g., Q_SSB=2). In one example, there can be a further restriction thatN_SSB/G_SSB≥Q_SSB.

In another example, denote the relative index of S-SSB within the N_SSBnumber of transmitted S-SSBs as i_SSB (e.g., defined as S-SSB index),wherein 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB−1, then S-SSBs within the N_SSB number oftransmitted S-SSBs are assumed to be QCLed, if i_SSB mod Q_SSB of theS-SSBs are the same, wherein “mod” refers to the modulo operation. Thisexample can be denoted as QCL assumption Pattern 2. An illustration ofthe example (pre-)configurable QCL assumption for transmitted S-SSB isshown in 1904, 1905, and 1906 of FIG. 19 , wherein the number oftransmitted S-SSBs is 4 (e.g., N_SSB=4), and (pre-)configured QCLparameter is 2 (e.g., Q_SSB=2). In one example, there can be a furtherrestriction that G_SSB≥Q_SSB.

In yet another example, there can be a (pre-)configuration of either QCLassumption Pattern 1 or Pattern 2.

In yet another example, the QCL assumption can be (pre-)configured amongno QCL assumption within a S-SSB period, QCL assumption Pattern 1, orQCL assumption Pattern 2.

In yet another example, the QCL assumption can be associated with thewindow supported for the transmission of S-SSBs.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example QCL assumption associated with window(s)for transmission of S-SSBs 2000 according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. An embodiment of the QCL assumption associated withwindow(s) for transmission of S-SSBs 2000 shown in FIG. 20 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 20can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

In one example, the S-SSBs in the same window for transmission of S-SSBsare assumed to be QCLed. This example can be denoted as QCL assumptionPattern 1. An illustration of the example (pre-)configurable QCLassumption for transmitted S-SSB is shown in 2001 of FIG. 20 , whereinthe number of transmitted S-SSBs is 4 (e.g., N_SSB=4), and the number ofwindows for transmission of S-SSBs is 2.

In another example, the S-SSBs with same relative index within thewindow for transmission of S-SSBs and in different windows fortransmission of S-SSBs are assumed to be QCLed. This example can bedenoted as QCL assumption Pattern 2. An illustration of the example(pre-)configurable QCL assumption for transmitted S-SSB is shown in 2002of FIG. 20 , wherein the number of transmitted S-SSBs is 4 (e.g.,N_SSB=4), and the number of windows for transmission of S-SSBs is 2.

In yet another example, the QCL assumption can be (pre-)configuredbetween Pattern 1 or Pattern 2.

In yet another example, the QCL assumption can be (pre-)configured amongno QCL assumption within a S-SSB period, QCL assumption Pattern 1, orQCL assumption Pattern 2.

In one embodiment, the time domain duration for the transmission ofS-SSBs with respect to different supported SCS maintains the same. Forone example of frequency range 1 (FR1), the time domain duration for aslot with respect to 15 kHz SCS containing a S-SSB corresponds to 2consecutive slots with respect to 30 kHz SCS containing S-SSBs, and 4consecutive slots with respect to 60 kHz SCS containing S-SSBs. For oneexample of FR2, the time domain duration for a slot with respect to 60kHz SCS containing a S-SSB corresponds to 2 consecutive slots withrespect to 120 kHz SCS containing S-SSBs.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example transmission of S-SSBs with respect toSCS 2100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Anembodiment of the transmission of S-SSBs with respect to SCS 2100 shownin FIG. 21 is for illustration only. One or more of the componentsillustrated in FIG. 21 can be implemented in specialized circuitryconfigured to perform the noted functions or one or more of thecomponents can be implemented by one or more processors executinginstructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodiments are usedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

An illustration of the example scaling transmission with respect to SCSis shown in FIGS. 21 . 2101, 2102, and 2103 show transmission of 1, 2,and 4 S-SSBs with respect to 15 kHz, 30 kHz, and 60 kHz,correspondingly, wherein the transmission for all SCSs occupies the sametime domain duration. 2104, 2105, and 2106 show transmission of 2, 4,and 8 S-SSBs with respect to 15 kHz, 30 kHz, and 60 kHz,correspondingly, wherein the transmission is divided into 2 bursts(e.g., G_SSB=2) and each burst of transmission occupies the same timedomain duration for all SCSs. 2107, 2108, and 2109 show transmission of2, 4, and 8 S-SSBs with respect to 15 kHz, 30 kHz, and 60 kHz,correspondingly, wherein the transmission has single burst (e.g.,G_SSB=1) and the transmission for all SCSs occupies the same time domainduration.

In one embodiment, after receiving a S-SSB from sidelink channels,detecting the synchronization signals, and decoding the payload ofPSBCH, the sidelink UE can be able to acquire the timing information ofthe synchronization source from the (pre-)configuration about thetransmission of S-SSBs and/or the information carried by the receivedS-SSB (e.g., synchronization signals, and/or DM-RS of PSBCH, and/orpayload of PSBCH), wherein the timing information includes at least oneof a frame timing, a slot timing, or a symbol timing.

In one example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of the slotoffset for transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as O_SSB), the slotinterval for transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as D_SSB), and thenumber of transmitted S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted asN_SSB), from the (pre-)configuration about the transmission of S-SSBs,and then acquires a DFN/SFN containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denotedas SFN_SSB), and an index of slot within the DFN/SFN containing thereceived S-SSB (e.g., denoted as S_SSB), from signal and/or channelcarrying such information in the received S-SSB (e.g., content of PSBCHin the received S-SSB), then for one instance, the UE assumes the indexof received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as I_SSB) satisfies((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S SSB) mod (P_SSB*2{circumflex over( )}u)=O_SSB+D_SSB*i_SSB, or for another instance, the UE could derivethe index of S-SSB (e.g., denoted as I_SSB) asI_SSB=((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S_SSB) mod(P_SSB*2{circumflex over ( )}u)−O_SSB)/D_SSB, if N_SSB>1; and I_SSB=0 ifN_SSB=1.

P_SSB is the default periodicity of S-SSB in the unit of ms (e.g.,P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over ( )}u is the ratio of SCS of S-SSBcomparing to 15 kHz (e.g., 2{circumflex over ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8, forSCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively). Inone example, the UE expects the derived index of S-SSB being an integerand satisfying 0≤I_SSB≤N_SSB−1. In another example, the UE expects theburst of S-SSBs is within a period of duration P_SSB, e.g.,O_SSB+D_SSB*(N_SSB−1)≤P_SSB*2{circumflex over ( )}u−1.

In another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of the slotoffset for transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as O_SSB), the slotinterval for transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as D_SSB), and thenumber of transmitted S-SSBs within a S-SSB period (e.g., denoted asN_SSB), from the (pre-)configuration about the transmission of S-SSBs,and then acquires a DFN/SFN containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denotedas SFN_SSB), and an index of slot within the DFN/SFN containing thereceived S-SSB (e.g., denoted as S_SSB), from signal and/or channelcarrying such information in the received S-SSB (e.g., content of PSBCHin the received S-SSB), then the UE could derive the index of S-SSB(e.g., denoted as I_SSB) as I_SSB=(K_SSB−O_SSB)/D_SSB whereK_SSB=((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S_SSB) mod(P_SSB*2{circumflex over ( )}u), and P_SSB is the default periodicity ofS-SSB in the unit of ms (e.g., P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over( )}u is the ratio of SCS of S-SSB comparing to 15 kHz (e.g.,2{circumflex over ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8, for SCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively). The UE expects the derivedindex of S-SSB being an integer and satisfying 0≤I_SSB≤N_SSB−1.

In yet another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of theoffset for transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as O_SSB), the slotinterval for transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as D_SSB), the indexof the received S-SSB within the N_SSB transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denotedas i_SSB, and 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB−1), the a DFN/SFN containing the receivedS-SSB (e.g., denoted as SFN_SSB), and an index of slot containing thereceived S-SSB (e.g., denoted as S_SSB), from the (pre-)configurationabout the transmission of S-SSBs and/or the information carried by thereceived S-SSB, then the UE assumes the synchronization resources arepresent in the DFN/SFN and slot satisfying ((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflexover ( )}u+S_SSB) mod (P_SSB*2{circumflex over ( )}u)=O_SSB+D_SSB*i_SSBwhere P_SSB is the default periodicity of S-SSB (e.g., P_SSB=160 ms),and 2{circumflex over ( )}u is the ratio of SCS of S-SSB comparing to 15kHz (e.g., 2{circumflex over ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8, for SCS of S-SSB as15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively).

In yet another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of theoffset for transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as O_SSB), the numberof groups for the transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as G_SSB), the aDFN/SFN containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as SFN_SSB), and anindex of slot containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as S_SSB),from the (pre-)configuration about the transmission of S-SSBs and/or theinformation carried by the received S-SSB, then the UE assumes thesynchronization resources are present in the DFN/SFN and slot satisfying((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S_SSB) mod (P_SSB*2{circumflex over( )}u/G_SSB)=O_SSB where P_SSB is the default periodicity of S-SSB(e.g., P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over ( )}u is the ratio of SCS ofS-SSB comparing to 15 kHz (e.g., 2{circumflex over ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8,for SCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively).In one example, the UE expects the burst of S-SSBs is within a period ofduration P_SSB, e.g., O_SSB+D_SSB*(N_SSB−1)≤P_SSB*2{circumflex over( )}u−1.

In yet another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of theoffset for transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as O_SSB), the numberof transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as N_SSB), the number of groups forthe transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as G_SSB), the index of thereceived S-SSB within the N_SSB transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denoted asi_SSB, and 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB−1), the a DFN/SFN containing the received S-SSB(e.g., denoted as SFN_SSB), and an index of slot containing the receivedS-SSB (e.g., denoted as S_SSB), from the (pre-) configuration about thetransmission of S-SSBs and/or the information carried by the receivedS-SSB, then the UE assumes the synchronization resources are present inthe DFN/SFN and slot satisfying ((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over( )}u+S_SSB) mod (P_SSB*2{circumflex over ( )}u/G_SSB)=O_SSB+(i_SSB mod(N_SSB/G_SSB)) where P_SSB is the default periodicity of S-SSB (e.g.,P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over ( )}u is the ratio of SCS of S-SSBcomparing to 15 kHz (e.g., 2{circumflex over ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8, forSCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively).

In yet another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of theoffset for transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as O_SSB), the numberof transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as N_SSB), the number of groups forthe transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as G_SSB), the index of thereceived S-SSB within the group of (N_SSB/G_SSB) transmitted S-SSBs(e.g., denoted as i_SSB, and 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB/G_SSB−1), the a DFN/SFNcontaining the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as SFN_SSB), and an indexof slot containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as S_SSB), from the(pre-)configuration about the transmission of S-SSBs and/or theinformation carried by the received S-SSB, then the UE assumes thesynchronization resources are present in the DFN/SFN and slot satisfying((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S_SSB) mod (P_SSB*2{circumflex over( )}u/G_SSB)=O_SSB+i_SSB where P_SSB is the default periodicity of S-SSB(e.g., P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over ( )}u is the ratio of SCS ofS-SSB comparing to 15 kHz (e.g., 2{circumflex over ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8,for SCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively).

In yet another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of aDFN/SFN containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as SFN_SSB), and anindex of slot containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as S_SSB),from the (pre-)configuration about the transmission of S-SSBs and/or theinformation carried by the received S-SSB, then the UE assumes thesynchronization resources are present in the DFN/SFN and slot satisfying((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S_SSB) mod (P_SSB*2{circumflex over( )}u)=0 where P_SSB is the default periodicity of S-SSB (e.g.,P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over ( )}u is the ratio of SCS of S-SSBcomparing to 15 kHz (e.g., 2{circumflex over ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8, forSCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively).

In yet another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of theindex of the received S-SSB within the N_SSB transmitted S-SSBs (e.g.,denoted as i_SSB, and 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB−1), the a DFN/SFN containing thereceived S-SSB (e.g., denoted as SFN_SSB), and an index of slotcontaining the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as S_SSB), from the(pre-)configuration about the transmission of S-SSBs and/or theinformation carried by the received S-SSB, then the UE assumes thesynchronization resources are present in the DFN/SFN and slot satisfying((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S_SSB) mod (P_SSB*2{circumflex over( )}u)=i_SSB where P_SSB is the default periodicity of S-SSB (e.g.,P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over ( )}u is the ratio of SCS of S-SSBcomparing to 15 kHz (e.g., 2{circumflex over ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8, forSCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively).

In yet another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of thenumber of groups for the transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted asG_SSB), the a DFN/SFN containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted asSFN_SSB), and an index of slot containing the received S-SSB (e.g.,denoted as S_SSB), from the (pre-)configuration about the transmissionof S-SSBs and/or the information carried by the received S-SSB, then theUE assumes the synchronization resources are present in the DFN/SFN andslot satisfying ((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S_SSB) mod(P_SSB*2{circumflex over ( )}u/G_SSB)=0 where P_SSB is the defaultperiodicity of S-SSB (e.g., P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over ( )}uis the ratio of SCS of S-SSB comparing to 15 kHz (e.g., 2{circumflexover ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8, for SCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz,and 120 kHz, respectively).

In yet another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of thenumber of transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as N_SSB), the number ofgroups for the transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as G_SSB), theindex of the received S-SSB within the N_SSB transmitted S-SSBs (e.g.,denoted as i_SSB, and 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB−1), the a DFN/SFN containing thereceived S-SSB (e.g., denoted as SFN_SSB), and an index of slotcontaining the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as S_SSB), from the(pre-)configuration about the transmission of S-SSBs and/or theinformation carried by the received S-SSB, then the UE assumes thesynchronization resources are present in the DFN/SFN and slot satisfying((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S_SSB) mod (P_SSB*2{circumflex over( )}u/G_SSB)=(i_SSB mod (N_SSB/G_SSB)) where P_SSB is the defaultperiodicity of S-SSB (e.g., P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over ( )}uis the ratio of SCS of S-SSB comparing to 15 kHz (e.g., 2{circumflexover ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8, for SCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz,and 120 kHz, respectively).

In yet another example, the sidelink UE acquires the information of thenumber of transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as N_SSB), the number ofgroups for the transmission of S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as G_SSB), theindex of the received S-SSB within the group of (N_SSB/G_SSB)transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denoted as i_SSB, and 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB/G_SSB−1),the a DFN/SFN containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted as SFN_SSB),and an index of slot containing the received S-SSB (e.g., denoted asS_SSB), from the (pre-)configuration about the transmission of S-SSBsand/or the information carried by the received S-SSB, then the UEassumes the synchronization resources are present in the DFN/SFN andslot satisfying ((SFN_SSB*10*2{circumflex over ( )}u+S_SSB) mod(P_SSB*2{circumflex over ( )}u/G_SSB)=i_SSB where P_SSB is the defaultperiodicity of S-SSB (e.g., P_SSB=160 ms), and 2{circumflex over ( )}uis the ratio of SCS of S-SSB comparing to 15 kHz (e.g., 2{circumflexover ( )}u=1, 2, 4, and 8, for SCS of S-SSB as 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz,and 120 kHz, respectively).

In one embodiment, the frequency domain information for S-SSBtransmission is (pre-) configured to the UE.

In one example, the frequency position of one subcarrier of the S-SSB is(pre-) configured to the UE by a higher layer parameter.

In one example, the one subcarrier is the subcarrier with index 66within the 132 subcarriers of S-SSB in frequency domain, where the indexstarts from 0, corresponding to the lowest subcarrier of the S-SSB.

In another example, the one subcarrier is the subcarrier with index 65within the 132 subcarriers of S-SSB in frequency domain, where the indexstarts from 0, corresponding to the lowest subcarrier of the S-SSB.

In yet another example, the one subcarrier is the subcarrier with index6 within the RB of index 5 of S-SSB in frequency domain, where the indexof subcarrier in a RB starts from 0, and the index of RB in the 11 RBbandwidth of S-SSB starts from 0.

In yet another example, the one subcarrier is the subcarrier with index5 within the RB of index 5 of S-SSB in frequency domain, where the indexof subcarrier in a RB starts from 0, and the index of RB in the 11 RBbandwidth of S-SSB starts from 0.

In yet another example, the one subcarrier is the subcarrier with index0 within the 132 subcarriers of S-SSB in frequency domain, where theindex starts from 0, corresponding to the lowest subcarrier of theS-SSB.

In yet another example, the one subcarrier is the subcarrier with index0 within the RB of index 0 of S-SSB in frequency domain, where the indexof subcarrier in a RB starts from 0, and the index of RB in the 11 RBbandwidth of S-SSB starts from 0.

In one example, the UE assumes the subcarrier with index 0 of S-SSB isaligned with a subcarrier with index 0 in an RB of the sidelink BWPcontaining the S-SSB. In this example, the RB grid of S-SSB is assumedto be aligned with the RB grid of SL BWP.

In another example, the UE assumes the numerology of the S-SSB is thesame as the numerology of SL BWP containing the S-SSB.

In yet another example, the UE assumes the BW of S-SSB is confinedwithin the BW of SL BWP. For example, the subcarrier with index 0 and131 of the S-SSB are both confined within the RBs associated with the SLBWP.

In one embodiment, the length-127 sequences generated for S-PSS andS-SSS respectively are mapped to subcarriers with the same indiceswithin the S-SSB. For this embodiment, denote the S-PSS sequence asd_(S-PSS) (0), . . . , d_(S-PSS)(126), and denote the S-SSS sequence asd_(S-SSS)(0), . . . , d_(S-SSS)(126).

FIG. 22 illustrates an example sequence mapping in S-SSB 2200 accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of the sequencemapping in S-SSB 2200 shown in FIG. 22 is for illustration only. One ormore of the components illustrated in FIG. 22 can be implemented inspecialized circuitry configured to perform the noted functions or oneor more of the components can be implemented by one or more processorsexecuting instructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodimentsare used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In one example, the S-PSS sequence d_(S-PSS)(0), . . . , d_(S-PSS)(126)is mapped to the subcarrier with index from 2 to 128, respectively, andthe S-SSS sequence d_(S-SSS) (0), . . . , d_(S-SSS) (126) is mapped tothe subcarrier with index from 2 to 128, respectively, and the remainingsubcarriers (i.e., with index 0, 1, 129, 130, 131) are set as 0, whereinthe subcarrier index is within the 132 subcarriers for S-SSB. Anillustration of this example is shown in Example 1 of FIG. 22 .

In another example, the S-PSS sequence d_(S-PSS) (0), . . . , d_(S-PSS)(126) is mapped to the subcarrier with index from 3 to 129,respectively, and the S-SSS sequence d_(S-SSS) (0), . . . , d_(S-SSS)(126) is mapped to the subcarrier with index from 3 to 129,respectively, and the remaining subcarriers (i.e., with index 0, 1, 2,130, 131) are set as 0, wherein the subcarrier index is within the 132subcarriers for S-SSB. An illustration of this example is shown inExample 2 of FIG. 22 .

In yet another example, the S-PSS sequence d_(S-PSS) (0), . . . ,d_(S-PSS) (126) is mapped to the subcarrier with index from 0 to 126,respectively, and the S-SSS sequence d_(S-SSS) (0), . . . , d_(S-SSS)(126) is mapped to the subcarrier with index from 0 to 126,respectively, and the remaining subcarriers (i.e., with index 127, 128,129, 130, 131) are set as 0, wherein the subcarrier index is within the132 subcarriers for S-SSB. An illustration of this example is shown inExample 3 of FIG. 22 .

In yet another example, the S-PSS sequence d_(S-PSS) (0), . . . ,d_(S-PSS) (126) is mapped to the subcarrier with index from 5 to 131,respectively, and the S-SSS sequence d_(S-SSS) (0), . . . , d_(S-SSS)(126) is mapped to the subcarrier with index from 5 to 131,respectively, and the remaining subcarriers (i.e., with index 0, 1, 2,3, 4) are set as 0, wherein the subcarrier index is within the 132subcarriers for S-SSB. An illustration of this example is shown inExample 4 of FIG. 22 .

In new radio (NR) Rel-15, synchronization signals and physical broadcastchannel block (SSB) is supported, wherein an SSB compromises of fourconsecutive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols intime domain, and 20 consecutive RBs in frequency domain. Moreover, thecenter 12 RBs of the first symbol in a SSB are mapped for primarysynchronization signal (PSS), the second and forth symbols in a SSB aremapped for PBCH, and the third symbol in a SSB is mapped for bothsecondary synchronization signal (SSS) and PBCH. An illustration of thecomposition of NR Rel-15 SSB is shown in FIG. 23 .

FIG. 23 illustrates an example NR SS/PBCH block composition 2300according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of theNR SS/PBCH block composition 2300 shown in FIG. 23 is for illustrationonly. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 23 can beimplemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform the notedfunctions or one or more of the components can be implemented by one ormore processors executing instructions to perform the noted functions.Other embodiments are used without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

In every RB mapped for PBCH, 3 out of the 12 resource elements (REs) aremapped for the demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) of PBCH, whereinthe 3 REs are uniformly distributed in the RB with their locations basedon cell ID. An illustration of the DM-RS RE locations within an RB ofPBCH is shown in FIG. 24 .

FIG. 24 illustrates an example NR DMRS RE locations within an RB of PBCH2400 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodimentof the NR DMRS RE locations within an RB of PBCH 2400 shown in FIG. 24is for illustration only. One or more of the components illustrated inFIG. 24 can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured toperform the noted functions or one or more of the components can beimplemented by one or more processors executing instructions to performthe noted functions. Other embodiments are used without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure.

The sequence for DM-RS of PBCH is generated based on a PN sequence withinitial condition given by 2{circumflex over( )}11*(i_SSB+1)(floor(N_ID{circumflex over ( )}cell/4)+1)+2{circumflexover ( )}6*(i_SSB+1)+(N_ID{circumflex over ( )}cell mod 4), whereini_SSB is the 3 LSB of SSB index when the maximum number of SSBs is atleast 8, and i_SSB is the combination of half frame indicator and SSBindex when the maximum number of SSBs is 4, N_ID{circumflex over( )}cell is the cell ID, and wherein and in the rest of this disclosure,“floor(X)” refers to the floor operation that gives the largest integersmaller than or equal to X, and “(Y mod Z)” refers to the modulooperation that gives the remainder after division of Y by Z.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example S-SSB composition for normal cyclicprefix and extended cyclic prefix 2500 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. An embodiment of the S-SSB composition for normalcyclic prefix and extended cyclic prefix 2500 shown in FIG. 25 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 25can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

In NR V2X, the sidelink synchronization signals and physical sidelinkbroadcast channel block (S-SSB) compromises components of sidelinkprimary synchronization signals, sidelink secondary synchronizationsignals, and physical sidelink broadcast channel (including DM-RS). Anillustration of the composition of S-SSB is shown in 2501 and 2502 ofFIG. 25 , with respect to normal cyclic prefix (NCP) and extended cyclicprefix (ECP), respectively.

The present disclosure focuses on the design of DM-RS of PSBCH,including the determination of REs mapped for DM-RS of PSBCH,information carried by the DM-RS sequence of PSBCH, and the sequencegeneration for DM-RS.

The present disclosure focuses on the design of DM-RS of PSBCH,including determination of REs mapped for DM-RS of PSBCH; informationcarried by the DM-RS sequence of PSBCH; and sequence generation forDM-RS.

In one embodiment, the resource elements (REs) mapped for DM-RS of PSBCHare contained in the symbols mapped for PSBCH and interleaved frequencydivision multiplexing (IFDM) with REs mapped for PSBCH not includingDM-RS.

In one example, the REs mapped for DM-RS of PSBCH are the same indifferent RBs within an OFDM symbol mapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB. Inanother example, the REs mapped for DM-RS of PSBCH are uniformlydistributed in the RB within an OFDM symbol mapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB,and the REs mapped for DM-RS of PSBCH can be determined by twoparameters, wherein a first parameter is the density of the DM-RS ofPSBCH (e.g., denoted as d DMRS), which refers to the ratio between thenumber of REs mapped for DM-RS of PSBCH and the number of total REswithin a RB (e.g., 12), and a second parameter is the starting RE in aRB (e.g., denoted as v_DMRS), which is the lowest RE mapped for DM-RS.The REs mapped for DM-RS in a RB can be determined as v_DMRS+k*(1/dDMRS), wherein k is all non-negative integers satisfying v_DMRS+k*(1/dDMRS)<12, when d DMRS is not 0. There is no RE mapped for DM-RS whend_DMRS is 0.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example RB structure with respect to differentDM-RS density 2600 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.An embodiment of the RB structure with respect to different DM-RSdensity 2600 shown in FIG. 26 is for illustration only. One or more ofthe components illustrated in FIG. 26 can be implemented in specializedcircuitry configured to perform the noted functions or one or more ofthe components can be implemented by one or more processors executinginstructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodiments are usedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

An illustration of RB structure with respect to different DM-RS densityis shown in FIG. 26 , wherein in example 2601, 2602, 2603, 2604, 2605,2606, and 2607, the densities of DM-RS are determined as 0, 1/12, ⅙, ¼,⅓, ½, and 1, respectively; and in example 2602, 2603, 2604, 2605, 2606,and 2607, the starting REs for DM-RS are determined as 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,and 0, respectively.

The following examples are with respect to the density of DM-RS of PSBCH(e.g., denoted as d_DMRS).

In one example, the same density of DM-RS is assumed for all symbolsmapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB. In one example, a density of DM-RS as ¼ isassumed for all symbols mapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB. In another example,a density of DM-RS as ⅓ is assumed for all symbols mapped for PSBCH in aS-SSB.

In another example, the density of DM-RS can be different for symbolsmapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB. In one example, a first density of DM-RS isused for the first symbol (e.g., symbol #0 in a slot) mapped for PSBCHin a S-SSB, and a second density of DM-RS is used for the remainingsymbols (e.g., symbols #5 to #12 in a slot with NCP or symbol #5 to #10in a slot with ECP as illustrated in FIG. 25 ). One instance for thefirst density of DM-RS can be 0. Another instance for the first densityof DM-RS can be 1. One instance for the second density of DM-RS can be⅓. Another instance for the second density of DM-RS can be ¼.

In yet another example, the density of DM-RS can be different for S-SSBwith respect to NCP and ECP. In one example, if the same density ofDM-RS is assumed for all symbols mapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB, the samedensity of DM-RS for S-SSB with NCP can be larger than the same densityof DM-RS for S-SSB with ECP. In another example, if the same density ofDM-RS is assumed for all symbols mapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB, the samedensity of DM-RS for S-SSB with NCP can be smaller than the same densityof DM-RS for S-SSB with ECP. In yet another example, if differentdensity of DM-RS is assumed for the first symbol and the remainingsymbols of a S-SSB, the density of DM-RS for the first symbol of S-SSBcan be the same for NCP and ECP (e.g., 0), and the density of DM-RS forthe remaining symbols of S-SSB can be different for NCP and ECP (e.g.,NCP has larger DM-RS density).

In yet another embodiment, the same density of DM-RS is assumed for allsymbols mapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB, and the same density is(pre-)configured.

In yet another embodiment, the density of DM-RS for the first symbolmapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB can be fixed (e.g., 0), and the density ofDM-RS for the remaining symbols mapped for PSBCH in a S-SSB can be(pre-)configured.

The following examples are with respect to the starting RE for DM-RS inan RB mapped for PSBCH (e.g., denoted as v_DMRS).

In one example, the starting RE for DM-RS is fixed, e.g., fixed as anon-negative integer smaller than 1/d_DMRS. For one example, whend_DMRS=¼, the starting RE v_DMRS can be fixed as one of 0, or 1, or 2,or 3. For another example, when d_DMRS=⅓, the starting RE v_DMRS can befixed as one of 0, or 1, or 2.

In another example, the starting RE for DM-RS is determined by thesidelink synchronization ID. For one example, the starting RE for DM-RScan be determined as (N_ID mod 1/d_DMRS), wherein N_ID is the sidelinksynchronization ID. For another example, the starting RE for DM-RS canbe determined as (N_ID mod 2), wherein N_ID is the sidelinksynchronization ID. For yet another example, the starting RE for DM-RScan be determined as 2*(N_ID mod 2), wherein N_ID is the sidelinksynchronization ID. For yet another example, the starting RE for DM-RScan be determined as floor(N_ID/(672*d_DMRS)), wherein N_ID is thesidelink synchronization ID. For yet another example, the starting REfor DM-RS can be determined as floor(N_ID/336), wherein N_ID is thesidelink synchronization ID. For yet another example, the starting REfor DM-RS can be determined as 2*floor(N_ID/336), wherein N_ID is thesidelink synchronization ID.

In yet another example, the starting RE for DM-RS is (pre-)configured.In one example, there can be an independent indication of the startingRE for DM-RS. In another example, the starting RE can be associated withother (pre-)configuration(s), and no independent indication is required.

In yet another example, the starting RE for DM-RS can be different fordifferent symbols. In one sub-example, the combination of differentstarting RE can be utilized to indicate information (e.g., priorityinformation of synchronization source, or in-coverage/out-of-coverageindicator of the synchronization source, or the type of synchronizationsource).

FIG. 27 illustrates an example indication for using the combination ofdifferent starting RE in PSBCH symbols 2700 according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure. An embodiment of the indication for using thecombination of different starting RE in PSBCH symbols 2700 shown in FIG.27 is for illustration only. One or more of the components illustratedin FIG. 27 can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured toperform the noted functions or one or more of the components can beimplemented by one or more processors executing instructions to performthe noted functions. Other embodiments are used without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example indication method for using thecombination of different starting RE in PSBCH symbols. The combinationof different value of v_DMRS in different symbols for PSBCH can beutilized to indicate information.

In one embodiment, at least one or combination of the following examplesand/or embodiments regarding the DM-RS of PSBCH, can be utilized tocarry information.

In one example, the locations of RE mapped for DM-RS, as described inthe previous embodiment of this disclosure.

In one example, the mapping order of the DM-RS sequence. For oneexample, the mapping order of either frequency-first-time-second ortime-first-frequency-second can be utilized to carry 1-bit information.For another example, the mapping order of highest-to-lowest frequency orlowest-to-highest frequency can be utilized to carry 1-bit information.

In one example, the sequence generation of the DM-RS sequence. For oneexample, the initial condition for sequence generation can carryinformation. For another example, the cyclic shift applied to thesequence can carry information. For yet another example, phase shiftapplied to the sequence can carry information.

In one embodiment, at least one or combination of the followingcomponents can contribute to the information carried by the example(s)and/or embodiment(s) in the present disclosure.

In one example component, the information carried by DM-RS (including atleast one of examples and/or embodiments including the RE locations,sequence mapping order, or sequence generation, as described in thisdisclosure) can be sidelink synchronization ID (e.g., denoted as N_ID inthis disclosure, wherein 0≤N_ID≤671).

For one example, the sidelink synchronization ID can be divided into atleast one part, and each part is carried by at least one examples and/orembodiments as described in this disclosure (e.g., a same part could becarried by more than one examples and/or embodiments).

In another example, the information carried by DM-RS (including at leastone of embodiments and/or examples including the RE locations, sequencemapping order, or sequence generation, as described in this disclosure)can be timing related information (e.g., denoted as I_t in thisdisclosure).

For one example, the timing related information can be an index of theS-SSB within the (pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs, e.g.,I_t=i_SSB, wherein i_SSB is the index of S-SSB with 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB−1, andN_SSB is the (pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs.

For another example, the timing related information can be a part of theindex of the S-SSB within the (pre-)configured number of transmittedS-SSBs, wherein e.g., the index of S-SSB can be denoted as i_SSB,wherein 0≤i_SSB≤N_SSB−1, and N_SSB is the (pre-)configured number oftransmitted S-SSBs. For one sub-example, the part of the index is the KLSBs of i_SSB, e.g., I_t=(i_SSB mod 2{circumflex over ( )}K), wherein Kcan be determined as K=min(log 2(N_SSB), K′), and K′ is a predefinedinteger (e.g., representing the capacity of timing information carriedby DM-RS), e.g., K=3. For another sub-example, the part of the index isthe K MSBs of i_SSB, e.g., I_t=floor(i_SSB/(2{circumflex over ( )}K)),wherein K can be determined as K=min(log 2(N_SSB), K′), and K′ is apredefined integer (e.g., representing the capacity of timinginformation carried by DM-RS), e.g., K=3.

In yet another example, the timing related information can be related tothe index of slot containing the corresponding S-SSB, wherein the indexof slot can be denoted as s_SSB. For one sub-example, the part of theindex is the K LSBs of s_SSB, e.g., I_t=(s_SSB mod 2{circumflex over( )}K), wherein K can be determined as K=min(log 2(N_SSB), K′), and K′is a predefined integer (e.g., representing the capacity of timinginformation carried by DM-RS), e.g., K=3. For another sub-example, thepart of the index is the K MSBs of s_SSB, e.g.,I_t=floor(s_SSB/(2{circumflex over ( )}1K)), wherein K can be determinedas K=min(log 2(N_SSB), K′), and K′ is a predefined integer (e.g.,representing the capacity of timing information carried by DM-RS), e.g.,K=3.

In yet another example, the information carried by DM-RS (including atleast one of embodiments and/or examples including the RE locations,sequence mapping order, or sequence generation, as described in thisdisclosure) can be QCL assumption related information (e.g., denoted asI_gcl in this disclosure).

In one example, there could be QCL assumption among S-SSBs within thesame transmission period (e.g., either consecutively transmitted ornot), and the QCL assumption related information carried by DM-RS canindicate same QCL assumption for the corresponding S-SSBs. In oneexample, sidelink UE can assume the S-SSBs with the same QCL assumptionrelated information carried by DM-RS (e.g., same DM-RS sequence) areQCLed. In this example, the QCL assumption related information carriedby DM-RS can be interpreted as the QCL assumption group index. In oneexample, there can be association between the QCL assumption group indexand the S-SSB index, e.g., one-to-one mapping or one-to-multiplemapping.

In one sub-example, the number of groups of QCL assumptions is(pre-)configured as N_QCL, and 0≤I_qcl≤N_QCL−1.

In another sub-example, the maximum number of groups of QCL assumptionsis fixed as M_QCL (e.g., per SCS and per FR), and 0≤I_qcl≤M_QCL−1.

In yet another sub-example, the number of groups of QCL assumptions isfixed as N_QCL, and 0≤I_qcl≤N_QCL−1.

In another example, there could be QCL assumption among S-SSBs withinthe same transmission period (e.g., either consecutively transmitted ornot), and the QCL assumption related information carried by DM-RS canindicate a different QCL assumption for the corresponding S-SSBs. In oneexample, sidelink UE can assume the S-SSBs with the different QCLassumption related information carried by DM-RS (e.g., different DM-RSsequence using the same synchronization ID) are QCLed. In this example,the QCL assumption related information carried by DM-RS can beinterpreted as the QCL assumption index within a QCL assumption group.In one example, there can be association between the QCL assumptionindex within a QCL assumption group and the S-SSB index, e.g.,one-to-one mapping or one-to-multiple mapping.

In one sub-example, the number of groups of QCL assumptions is(pre-)configured as N_QCL, and 0≤I_qcl≤(N_SSB/N_QCL)−1, and N_SSB is the(pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs.

In another sub-example, the maximum number of groups of QCL assumptionsis fixed as M_QCL (e.g., per SCS and per FR), and0≤I_qcl≤(N_SSB/M_QCL)−1, and N_SSB is the (pre-)configured number oftransmitted S-SSBs.

In yet another sub-example, the number of group of QCL assumptions isfixed as N_QCL, and 0≤I_qcl≤(N_SSB/N_QCL)−1, and N_SSB is the(pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs.

In yet another example component, the information carried by DM-RS(including at least one of embodiments and/or examples including the RElocations, sequence mapping order, or sequence generation, as describedin this disclosure) can be synchronization source related information(e.g., denoted as I_sync in this disclosure).

In one example, the synchronization source related information can bethe priority information of synchronization source.

In another example, the synchronization source related information canbe the in-coverage/out-of-coverage indicator of the synchronizationsource.

In yet another example, the synchronization source related informationcan be the type of synchronization source.

For yet another example, the synchronization source related informationcan be the combination of at least two of the above examples.

In one embodiment, the sequence for generating the DM-RS of PSBCH isaccording to a PN-sequence given by a QPSK modulated sequenceconstructed by XOR of two M-sequences, where one of the M-sequences_1(n) is generated with a generator g_1(x)=x{circumflex over( )}31+x{circumflex over ( )}3+1 and an initial condition c_1=1, and theother M-sequence s_2(n) is generated with a generatorg_2(x)=x{circumflex over ( )}31+x{circumflex over ( )}3±x{circumflexover ( )}2+x+1 and an initial condition c_2. There can be an outputshift offset (e.g., denoted as N_c) such that the QPSK modulatedsequence is given by s(n)=(1−2*((s_1(2*n+N_c)+s_1(2*n+N_c)) mod2))/√2+j*(1−2*((s_1(2*n+N_c+1)+s_2(2*n+N_c+1)) mod 2))/√2 and s(n) istruncated to the desired DM-RS sequence length and mapped to the REs forDM-RS.

In one example, the initial condition of s_2(n) only carries informationabout sidelink synchronization ID (e.g., denoted as N_ID) or a part ofthe sidelink synchronization ID.

In one example, the initial condition of s_2(n) is given by c_2=N_ID.

In another example, the initial condition of s_2(n) is given byc_2=floor(N_ID*d_DMRS), wherein d_DMRS is the density of DM-RS of PSBCH(e.g., d_DMRS=¼).

In yet another example, the initial condition of s_2(n) is given byc_2=k_1*(floor(N_ID*d_DMRS)+1)+k_2+k_3*(N_ID mod 1/d_DMRS), whereind_DMRS is the density of DM-RS of PSBCH (e.g., d_DMRS=¼), wherein k_1,k_2, and k_3 are fixed integers. Combination of example values of k_1and k_2 can be according to a row in TABLE 2.

In another example, the initial condition of s_2(n) only carriesinformation about sidelink synchronization ID (e.g., denoted as N_ID) ora part of the sidelink synchronization ID, together with timing relatedinformation (e.g., denoted as I_t).

In one example, the initial condition of s_2(n) is given byc_2=k_1*(N_ID+1)*(I_t+1)+k_2*(I_t+1), wherein k_1 and k_2 are fixedintegers. Combination of example values of k_1 and k_2 can be accordingto a row in TABLE 1.

In another example, the initial condition of s_2(n) is given byc_2=k_1*(floor(N_ID*d_DMRS)+1)*(I_t+1)+k_2*(I_t+1)+k_3*(N_ID mod1/d_DMRS), wherein k_1, k_2, and k_3 are fixed integers. Combination ofexample values of k_1 and k_2 can be according to a row in TABLE 2.

In yet another example, the initial condition of s_2(n) only carriesinformation about sidelink synchronization ID (e.g., denoted as N_ID) ora part of the sidelink synchronization ID, together with QCL assumptionrelated information (e.g., denoted as I_qcl).

In one example, the initial condition of s_2(n) is given byc_2=k_1*(N_ID+1)*(I_qcl+1)+k_2*(I_qcl+1), wherein k_1 and k_2 are fixedintegers. Combination of example values of k_1 and k_2 can be accordingto a row in TABLE 1.

In another example, the initial condition of s_2(n) is given byc_2=k_1*(floor(N_ID*d_DMRS)+1)*(I_qcl+1)+k_2*(I_qcl+1)+k_3*(N_ID mod1/d_DMRS), wherein k_1, k_2, and k_3 are fixed integers. Combination ofexample values of k_1 and k_2 can be according to a row in TABLE 2.

In yet another example, the initial condition of s_2(n) only carriesinformation about sidelink synchronization ID (e.g., denoted as N_ID) ora part of the sidelink synchronization ID, together with synchronizationsource related information (e.g., denoted as I_sync).

In one example, the initial condition of s_2(n) is given byc_2=k_1*(N_ID+1)*(I_sync+1)+k_2*(I_sync+1), wherein k_1 and k_2 arefixed integers. Combination of example values of k_1 and k_2 can beaccording to a row in TABLE 1.

In another example, the initial condition of s_2(n) is given byc_2=k_1*(floor(N_ID*d_DMRS)+1)*(I_sync+1)+k_2*(I_sync+1)+k_3(N_ID mod1/d_DMRS), wherein k_1, k_2, and k_3 are fixed integers. Combination ofexample values of k_1 and k_2 can be according to a row in TABLE 2.

TABLE 1 Example values of parameters in sequence generation for DM-RS ofPSBCH. Example index k_1 k_2 Note 1 2{circumflex over ( )}112{circumflex over ( )}3 E.g., for maximum 3 bits info 2 2{circumflexover ( )}11 2{circumflex over ( )}5 E.g., for maximum 3 bits info 32{circumflex over ( )}11 2{circumflex over ( )}6 E.g., for maximum 3bits info 4 2{circumflex over ( )}12 2{circumflex over ( )}3 E.g., formaximum 3 bits info 5 2{circumflex over ( )}12 2{circumflex over ( )}4E.g., for maximum 3 bits info 6 2{circumflex over ( )}12 2{circumflexover ( )}6 E.g., for maximum 3 bits info

TABLE 2 Example values of parameters in sequence generation for DM-RS ofPSBCH. Example index k_1 k_2 k_3 Note 1 2{circumflex over ( )}112{circumflex over ( )}6 1 E.g., in general, 2 2{circumflex over ( )}6  10 E.g., for maximum 3 bits info, density ¼ 3 2{circumflex over ( )}122{circumflex over ( )}3 0 E.g., for maximum 3 bits info, density ¼ 42{circumflex over ( )}11 2{circumflex over ( )}3 0 E.g., for maximum 3bits info, density ¼ 5 2{circumflex over ( )}7  1 1 E.g., for maximum 3bits info, density ¼ 6 2{circumflex over ( )}9  2{circumflex over ( )}11 E.g., for maximum 3 bits info, density ¼ 7 2{circumflex over ( )}122{circumflex over ( )}3 1 E.g., for maximum 3 bits info, density ¼ 82{circumflex over ( )}11 2{circumflex over ( )}3 1 E.g., for maximum 3bits info, density ¼

The payload of PBCH includes 24-bits master information block (MIB) fromhigher layer and 8-bits timing bits from physical layer, wherein the8-bits timing bits from physical layer includes the 1st to 4th LSB ofsystem frame number (SFN), half frame indicator, and the 4th to 6th LSBof SSB index for frequency range 2 (FR2), or 5th LSB of k_SSB and 2reserved bits for frequency range 1 (FR1). Selected bits of PBCH payloadare scrambled by the 1st-level scrambling, before CRC attachment,wherein the selected bits include MIB, and 4th and 1st LSB of SFN forboth FR1 and FR2, and further include 5th LSB of k SSB and 2 reservedbits for FR1.

The scrambling sequence of the 1st-level scrambling is generated basedon the cell ID as well as the 3rd and 2nd LSB of SFN. Another 2nd-levelscrambling is applied after rate matching of the coded bits, wherein thescrambling sequence of the 2nd-level scrambling is generated based onthe cell ID as well as the 1st and 2nd LSB of SSB index for L_max=4, orthe 1st, 2nd, and 3rd LSB of SSB index for L_max=8 and L_max=64.

FIG. 28A illustrates an example scrambling of PBCH for FR2 2800according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of thescrambling of PBCH for FR2 2800 shown in FIG. 28A is for illustrationonly. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 28A can beimplemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform the notedfunctions or one or more of the components can be implemented by one ormore processors executing instructions to perform the noted functions.Other embodiments are used without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 28B illustrates an example scrambling of PBCH for FR1 2850according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of thescrambling of PBCH for FR1 2850 shown in FIG. 28B is for illustrationonly. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 28B can beimplemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform the notedfunctions or one or more of the components can be implemented by one ormore processors executing instructions to perform the noted functions.Other embodiments are used without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

An illustration of the 1st-level and 2nd-level scrambling is shown inFIG. 28A and FIG. 28B for FR2 and FR1, respectively.

In NR V2X, the sidelink synchronization signals and physical sidelinkbroadcast channel block (S-SSB) compromises components of sidelinkprimary synchronization signals, sidelink secondary synchronizationsignals, and physical sidelink broadcast channel (including DM-RS). Anillustration of the composition of S-SSB is shown in 2501 and 2502 ofFIG. 25 , with respect to normal cyclic prefix (NCP) and extended cyclicprefix (ECP), respectively.

The present disclosure focuses on the design of scrambling of PSBCH,including the procedure for scrambling, and the sequence generation forscrambling.

The present disclosure focuses on the scrambling of PSBCH, includingprocedure for scrambling; bits applicable to scrambling; timinginformation in PSBCH payload; and sequence generation for scrambling.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example scrambling procedures for PSBCH 2900according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of thescrambling procedures for PSBCH 2900 shown in FIG. 29 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 29can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

In one example, only single-level of scrambling is supported, whereinthe scrambling is after rate matching, and no scrambling is performedbefore CRC attachment. An illustration of the procedure of this exampleis shown in 2901 of FIG. 29 .

In another example, only single-level of scrambling is supported,wherein the scrambling is before CRC attachment, and no scrambling isperformed after rate matching. An illustration of the procedure of thisexample is shown in 2902 of FIG. 29 .

In yet another example, only single-level of scrambling is supported,wherein the scrambling is after CRC attachment and before channelcoding, and no scrambling is performed after rate matching. Anillustration of the procedure of this example is shown in 2903 of FIG.29 .

In yet another example, two-level of scrambling is supported, whereinthe 1st-level scrambling is before CRC attachment and the 2nd-levelscrambling is after rate matching. An illustration of the procedure ofthis example is shown in 2904 of FIG. 29 .

In one embodiment, all bits from the previous step are applicable to thescrambling procedure as described in the examples and/or embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

In one example, as in 2901 of FIG. 29 , all the bits after rate matchingcan be applied to the scrambling procedure.

In another example, as in 2902 of FIG. 29 , all the payload bits afterpayload generation can be applied to the scrambling procedure.

In yet another example, as in 2903 of FIG. 29 , all the bits after CRCattachment (including the CRC bits) can be applied to the scramblingprocedure.

In yet another example, as in 2904 of FIG. 29 , all the payload bitsafter payload generation can be applied to the 1st-level scramblingprocedure.

In yet another example, as in 2904 of FIG. 29 , all the bits after ratematching can be applied to the 2nd-level scrambling procedure.

In another embodiment, part of the bits from the previous step areapplicable to the scrambling procedure as described in the example ofthis disclosure.

In one example, as in 2902 of FIG. 29 , part of the payload bits afterpayload generation can be applied to the scrambling procedure, and theremaining part of the payload bits can be applied to the CRC attachmentprocedure without scrambling.

In another example, as in 2904 of FIG. 29 , part of the payload bitsafter payload generation can be applied to the 1st-level scramblingprocedure, and the remaining part of the payload bits can be applied tothe CRC attachment procedure without scrambling.

In one example for the scrambled part of the bits in PSBCH payload,bit(s) for S-SSB index (e.g., MSB or LSB) is not scrambled.

In another example for the scrambled part of the bits in PSBCH payload,bit(s) for DFN is not scrambled.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example QCLed S-SSB groups in a periodicity 3000according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An embodiment of theQCLed S-SSB groups in a periodicity 3000 shown in FIG. 30 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 30can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

In one example, if S-SSBs are transmitted in an interval of 80 ms withinthe periodicity of 160 ms (e.g., 2 groups), e.g., the S-SSBs are QCLedin an interval of 80 ms as in 3001 of FIG. 30 , then the 4th LSB of DFNis not scrambled.

In another example, if S-SSBs are transmitted in an interval of 40 mswithin the periodicity of 160 ms (e.g., 4 groups), e.g., the S-SSBs areQCLed in an interval of 40 ms as in 3002 of FIG. 30 , then the 3rd and4th LSB of DFN are not scrambled.

In yet another example, if S-SSBs are transmitted in an interval of 20ms within the periodicity of 160 ms (e.g., 8 groups), e.g., the S-SSBsare QCLed in an interval of 20 ms as in 3003 of FIG. 30 , then the 2nd,3rd and 4th LSB of DFN are not scrambled.

In yet another example, if S-SSBs are transmitted in an interval of 10ms within the periodicity of 160 ms (e.g., 16 groups), e.g., the S-SSBsare QCLed in an interval of 10 ms as in 3004 of FIG. 30 , then the 1st,2nd, 3rd and 4th LSB of DFN are not scrambled.

In yet another example for the scrambled part of the bits in PSBCHpayload, bit for the half frame indicator is not scrambled.

In one example, the S-SSBs are QCLed in an interval of 5 ms, then thebit for the half frame indicator is not scrambled.

In yet another example for the scrambled part of the bits in PSBCHpayload, bit(s) for the slot index within a frame is not scrambled.

In one example, if S-SSBs are QCLed within a frame, then the bit(s) forthe slot index within a frame is not scrambled, wherein the bit(s) arecommon for the QCLed S-SSBs.

In yet another example for the scrambled part of the bits in PSBCHpayload, bit(s) corresponding to the same QCL group is not scrambled.

In yet another example for the scrambled part of the bits in PSBCHpayload, the combination of above examples and/or embodiments can besupported. For example, different combination can be supported accordingto (pre-)configuration of the transmitted S-SSBs.

In one embodiment, the payload of PSBCH includes timing relatedinformation, wherein the timing related information includes at leastone of a DFN, a slot index within a frame, or whole or part of an S-SSBindex.

FIG. 31 illustrates an example PSBCH payload including timing relatedinformation 3100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Anembodiment of the PSBCH payload including timing related information3100 shown in FIG. 31 is for illustration only. One or more of thecomponents illustrated in FIG. 31 can be implemented in specializedcircuitry configured to perform the noted functions or one or more ofthe components can be implemented by one or more processors executinginstructions to perform the noted functions. Other embodiments are usedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

An illustration of the example PSBCH payload including timing relatedinformation is shown in FIG. 31 , wherein 3101 illustrates PSBCH payloadwith 10 bits DFN, 6 bits slot index, and whole SSB index (e.g., 6 bits);3102 illustrates PSBCH payload with 10 bits DFN, 6 bits slot index, andpartial S-SSB index (e.g., 3 MSBs of S-SSB index); 3103 illustratesPSBCH payload with 10 bits DFN, and 6 bits slot index; 3104 illustratesPSBCH payload with 10 bits DFN, and whole SSB index (e.g., 6 bits); 3105illustrates PSBCH payload with 10 bits DFN, and partial S-SSB index(e.g., 3 MSBs of S-SSB index).

In one embodiment, the bit-width of the slot index can be differentaccording to the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the S-SSB. For example,only the X LSBs of the 6 bits for slot index are utilized with theremaining 6-X bits reserved or set as default values, wherein Xcorresponds to the required number of bits for indicating the slot indexwith respect to the SCS of S-SSB. An example mapping between SCS ofS-SSB and bit-width for slot index (e.g., X) is shown in TABLE 3.

TABLE 3 Example mapping between SCS of S-SSB and bit-width for slotindex. Bit-width for Reserved or SCS of S- Values for slot index defaultnumber SSB slot index (X) of bits  15 kHz 0, . . . , 9 3 bits 3 bits  30kHz 0, . . . , 19 4 bits 2 bits  60 kHz 0, . . . , 39 5 bits 1 bit 120kHz 0, . . . , 79 6 bits 0 bit

In one embodiment, the bit-width for the S-SSB index included in thePSBCH payload can be based on the (pre-)configured number of transmittedS-SSBs. For example, only the Y LSBs of the 6 bits for S-SSB index areutilized with the remaining 6-Y bits reserved or set as default values,wherein Y corresponds to the required number of bits for indicating theS-SSB index within the (pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs. Anexample mapping between number of bits for S-SSB index (e.g., Y) and(pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs is shown in TABLE 4.

TABLE 4 Example mapping between number of bits for S-SSB index and(pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs. Number of transmittedBit-width for S- Reserved or default S-SSBs SSB index (Y) number of bits1 0 bit 6 bits 2 1 bit 5 bits 4 2 bits 4 bits 8 3 bits 3 bits 16 4 bits2 bits 32 5 bits 1 bit 64 6 bits 0 bit

In another embodiment, the bit-width for part of the S-SSB indexincluded in the PSBCH payload can be based on the (pre-)configurednumber of transmitted S-SSBs. For example, assuming a Z-bit field isused to indicate part of the S-SSB index (e.g., Z MSBs of S-SSB index),then only Y bits of the Z bits are utilized with the remaining Z-Y bitsreserved or set as default values, wherein Y corresponds to the utilizednumber of bits for indicating part of the S-SSB index within the(pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs. An example mappingbetween number of utilized bits for S-SSB index (e.g., Y), bit-width offield in payload (e.g., Z), and (pre-) configured number of transmittedS-SSBs is shown in TABLE 5.

TABLE 5 Example mapping between number of utilized bits for S-SSB index,bit-width of field in payload, and (pre-)configured number oftransmitted S-SSBs. Number of Bit-width Reserved or transmitted of fieldin Number of bits default number S-SSBs payload (Z) utilized (Y) of bits1 1 0 bit 1 bit 2 1 0 bit 1 bit 4 1 0 bit 1 bit 8 1 0 bit 1 bit 16 1 0bit 1 bit 32 1 0 bit 1 bit 64 1 1 bit 0 bit 1 2 0 bit 2 bits 2 2 0 bit 2bits 4 2 0 bit 2 bits 8 2 0 bit 2 bits 16 2 0 bit 2 bits 32 2 1 bit 1bit 64 2 2 bits 0 bit 1 3 0 bit 3 bits 2 3 0 bit 3 bits 4 3 0 bit 3 bits8 3 0 bit 3 bits 16 3 1 bit 2 bits 32 3 2 bits 1 bit 64 3 3 bits 0 bit 14 0 bit 4 bits 2 4 0 bit 4 bits 4 4 0 bit 4 bits 8 4 1 bit 3 bits 16 4 2bits 2 bits 32 4 3 bits 1 bit 64 4 4 bits 0 bit 1 5 0 bit 5 bits 2 5 0bit 5 bits 4 5 1 bit 4 bits 8 5 2 bits 3 bits 16 5 3 bits 2 bits 32 5 4bits 1 bit 64 5 5 bits 0 bit

In one embodiment, the generation of the scrambling sequence of PSBCH isat least based on the sidelink synchronization ID (e.g., denoted as N_IDin this disclosure).

In one example, the generation of the scrambling sequence of PSBCH isbased on the sidelink synchronization ID only.

In one example, the scrambling sequence of PSBCH is generated for everyslot containing an S-SSB including the corresponding PSBCH, and theinitial condition of the scrambling sequence is based on the sidelinksynchronization ID only. For instance, the sequence for generating thescrambling sequence of PSBCH is according to a PN-sequence given by aQPSK modulated sequence constructed by XOR of two M-sequences, where oneof the M-sequence s_1(n) is generated with a generatorg_1(x)=x{circumflex over ( )}31+x{circumflex over ( )}3+1 and an initialcondition c_1=1, and the other M-sequence s_2(n) is generated with agenerator g_2(x)=x{circumflex over ( )}31+x{circumflex over( )}3+x{circumflex over ( )}2+x+1 and an initial condition c_2=N_ID,wherein N_ID is the sidelink synchronization ID. There can be an outputshift offset (e.g., denoted as N_c) such that the QPSK modulatedsequence is given by s(n)=(1−2*((s_1(2*n+N_c)+s_1(2*n+N_c)) mod2))/√2+j*(1−2*((s_1(2*n+N_c+1)+s_2(2*n+N_c+1)) mod 2))/√2 and s(n) istruncated to the desired scrambling sequence length. In one example, thetruncated scrambling sequence length can be different for S-SSBs withnormal CP and extended CP.

In one example, the generation of the scrambling sequence of PSBCH isbased on the sidelink synchronization ID together with extrainformation. In one example, if the extra information carried by thescrambling sequence of PSBCH is not carried by S-PSS, S-SSS, or DM-RS ofPSBCH of the corresponding S-SSB, the extra information needs to beblindly detected by the sidelink UE.

In one example, the extra information for generating the scramblingsequence of PSBCH can be the S-SSB index or part of the S-SSB index.

In another example, the extra information for generating the scramblingsequence of PSBCH can be the QCL group index or index within a QCLgroup.

In yet another example, the extra information for generating thescrambling sequence of PSBCH can be information regarding thesynchronization source (e.g., in-coverage/out-of-coverage indicator,and/or the type of synchronization source, and/or priority informationof the synchronization source).

In one example for the generation method of the scrambling sequence, thesequence is generated according to a PN-sequence given by a QPSKmodulated sequence constructed by XOR of two M-sequences, wherein thegeneration of the PN-sequence is based on the sidelink synchronizationID only (e.g., in the initial condition), and the generated PN-sequenceis truncated into multiple non-overlapping segments, wherein eachsegment corresponds to one of the extra information carried by thescrambling sequence. In one example, the length of truncated segments ofthe scrambling sequence can be different for S-SSBs with normal CP andextended CP.

In one instance, the extra information can be S-SSB index, within the(pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denote the numberof transmitted S-SSBs are N_SSB), and the generated PN-sequence istruncated into N_SSB number of non-overlapping segments, such that thei-th segment corresponds to i*M to (i+1)*M−1 sequence index of thegenerated PN-sequence, wherein i is the S-SSB index such that i=i_SSBand 0≤i≤N_SSB−1, and M is length of each segment, which for example canbe different for S-SSB with normal CP and extended CP.

In another instance, the extra information can be S-SSB index or LSBs ofthe S-SSB index (e.g., at most K LSBs), within the (pre-)configurednumber of transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denote the number of transmittedS-SSBs are N_SSB), and the generated PN-sequence is truncated intonon-overlapping segments, such that the i-th segment corresponds to i*Mto (i+1)*M−1 sequence index of the generated PN-sequence, wherein i isthe S-SSB index if N_SSB≤2{circumflex over ( )}K, or i is the K LSBs ofS-SSB index if N_SSB≥2{circumflex over ( )}K, and K is a predefinedinteger (e.g., K=3), and M is length of each segment, which for examplecan be different for S-SSB with normal CP and extended CP.

In yet another instance, the extra information can be S-SSB index orMSBs of the S-SSB index (e.g., at most K MSBs), within the(pre-)configured number of transmitted S-SSBs (e.g., denote the numberof transmitted S-SSBs are N_SSB), and the generated PN-sequence istruncated into non-overlapping segments, such that the i-th segmentcorresponds to (i−1)*M to i*M−1 sequence index of the generatedPN-sequence, wherein i is the S-SSB index if N_SSB<2{circumflex over( )}K, or i is the K MSBs of S-SSB index if N_SSB≥2{circumflex over( )}K, and K is a predefined integer (e.g., K=3), and M is length ofeach segment, which for example can be different for S-SSB with normalCP and extended CP.

In yet another instance, the extra information can be part of the DFN,and the generated PN-sequence is truncated into non-overlappingsegments, such that the i-th segment corresponds to i*M to (i+1)*M−1sequence index of the generated PN-sequence, wherein i has a one-to-onemapping to part of the DFN, and M is length of each segment, which forexample can be different for S-SSB with normal CP and extended CP.

In yet another instance, the extra information can be part of the slotindex within a frame, and the generated PN-sequence is truncated intonon-overlapping segments, such that the i-th segment corresponds to i*Mto (i+1)*M−1 sequence index of the generated PN-sequence, wherein i hasa one-to-one mapping to part of the slot index within a frame, and M islength of each segment, which for example can be different for S-SSBwith normal CP and extended CP.

In yet another instance, the extra information can be QCL information(e.g., QCL group index or index within a QCL group), and the generatedPN-sequence is truncated into non-overlapping segments, such that thei-th segment corresponds to i*M to (i+1)*M−1 sequence index of thegenerated PN-sequence, wherein i has a one-to-one mapping to the QCLinformation (e.g., QCL group index or index within a QCL group), and Mis length of each segment, which for example can be different for S-SSBwith normal CP and extended CP.

In yet another instance, the extra information can be informationregarding the synchronization source (e.g., in-coverage/out-of-coverageindicator, and/or the type of synchronization source, and/or priorityinformation of the synchronization source), and the generatedPN-sequence is truncated into non-overlapping segments, such that thei-th segment corresponds to i*M to (i+1)*M−1 sequence index of thegenerated PN-sequence, wherein i has a one-to-one mapping to theinformation regarding the synchronization source (e.g.,in-coverage/out-of-coverage indicator, and/or the type ofsynchronization source, and/or priority information of thesynchronization source), and M is length of each segment, which forexample can be different for S-SSB with normal CP and extended CP.

In one example for the generation method of the scrambling sequence, thesequence is generated according to a PN-sequence given by a QPSKmodulated sequence constructed by XOR of two M-sequences, wherein thegeneration of the PN-sequence is based on the sidelink synchronizationID as well as the extra information, such that the initial condition ofone of the M-sequences includes both the sidelink synchronization ID aswell as the extra information.

In yet another example for the generation method of the scramblingsequence, the sequence is generated according to a PN-sequence given bya QPSK modulated sequence constructed by XOR of two M-sequences, whereinthe generation of the PN-sequence is based on the sidelinksynchronization ID only (e.g., in the initial condition), and thegenerated PN-sequence is performed with a cyclic shift, wherein thecyclic shift is based on the extra information carried by the scramblingsequence.

In yet another example for the generation method of the scramblingsequence, the sequence is generated according to a PN-sequence given bya QPSK modulated sequence constructed by XOR of two M-sequences, whereinthe generation of the PN-sequence is based on the sidelinksynchronization ID only (e.g., in the initial condition), and thegenerated PN-sequence is performed with a phase rotation, wherein thephase rotation is based on the extra information carried by thescrambling sequence.

FIG. 32 illustrates a flow chart of a method 3200 for window sizeadaptation according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as may beperformed by a user equipment (UE) (e.g., 111-116 as illustrated in FIG.1 ). An embodiment of the method 3200 shown in FIG. 32 is forillustration only. One or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 32can be implemented in specialized circuitry configured to perform thenoted functions or one or more of the components can be implemented byone or more processors executing instructions to perform the notedfunctions. Other embodiments are used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 32 , the method 3200 begins at step 3202. In step3202, the UE receives a set of higher layer parameters includingconfiguration information for sidelink synchronization signals andphysical sidelink broadcast channel (S-SS/PSBCH) block.

In one embodiment, the configuration information for the S-SS/PSBCHblock further includes a frequency location of the S-SS/PSBCH blocks andthe frequency location of the 5-SS/PSBCH blocks corresponds to asubcarrier with an index 66 in the S-SS/PSBCH block.

In one embodiment, the configuration information for the S-SS/PSBCHblock further includes information for a sidelink bandwidth part (SLBWP) and the information for the SL BWP includes a numerology of the SLBWP and a bandwidth of the SL BWP.

Subsequently, the UE in step 3204 determines, based on the configurationinformation for the S-SS/PSBCH block, a number of transmitted S-SS/PSBCHblocks (N_(SSB)), an offset for transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (O_(SSB)),and an interval for transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (D_(SSB)).

Finally, the UE in step 3206 determines a set of slots containing thetransmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks within a period for a transmission of theS-SS/PSBCH block, wherein an index of a slot in the set of slots isdetermined based on O_(SSB)+I_(SSB)*I_(SSB), where I_(SSB) is an indexof the S-SS/PSBCH block with 0≤I_(SSB)≤N_(SSB)−1.

In one embodiment, the UE determines a numerology of the S-SS/PBCH blockas the numerology of the SL BWP and determines a bandwidth of theS-SS/PBCH block as a part of the bandwidth of the SL BWP.

In one embodiment, the UE determines that a subcarrier with index 0 inthe S-SS/PBCH block is aligned with a subcarrier with index 0 in aresource block (RB) in the SL BWP.

In one embodiment, the UE determines a scrambling sequence applied to anumber of bits transmitted on a PSBCH.

In one embodiment, the UE initialize a generator for the scramblingsequence with c_(init)=N_(ID), wherein N_(ID) is a sidelinksynchronization identification (SS-ID).

In one embodiment, the UE determines a sequence for generating ademodulation reference signal (DM-RS) for a PSBCH.

In one embodiment, the UE initialize a generator for generating theDM-RS with c_(init)=N_(ID), wherein N_(ID) is the SS-ID.

In one embodiment, the UE determines a length-127 sequence for asidelink primary synchronization signal (S-PSS) from subcarriers withindices 2 to 128 in symbols mapped for the S-PSS, determines alength-127 sequence for a sidelink secondary synchronization signal(S-SSS) from subcarriers with indices 2 to 128 in symbols mapped for theS-SSS, determines subcarriers with indices 0, 1, 129, 130, and 131 aszero in symbols mapped for the S-PSS, and determines subcarriers withindices 0, 1, 129, 130, and 131 as zero in symbols mapped for the S-SSS.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplaryembodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

None of the description in this application should be read as implyingthat any particular element, step, or function is an essential elementthat must be included in the claims scope. The scope of patented subjectmatter is defined only by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communicationsystem, the UE comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a set ofhigher layer parameters including configuration information for sidelinksynchronization signals and physical sidelink broadcast channel(S-SS/PSBCH) block; and a processor operably connected to thetransceiver, the processor configured to: determine, based on theconfiguration information for the S-SS/PSBCH block, a number oftransmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (N_(SSB)) over a sidelink channel, anoffset for the transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (O_(SSB)), and an intervalfor each of the transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks (D_(SSB)), and determine aset of slots containing the transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks within aperiod for a transmission of the S-SS/PSBCH block, wherein an index of aslot in the set of slots is determined based on O_(SSB)+I_(SSB)*D_(SSB),where I_(SSB) is an index of the S-SS/PSBCH block with0≤I_(SSB)≤N_(SSB)−1.
 2. The UE of claim 1, wherein: the configurationinformation for the S-SS/PSBCH block further includes a frequencylocation of the transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks; and the frequencylocation of the transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks corresponds to asubcarrier with an index 66 in the S-SS/PSBCH block.
 3. The UE of claim1, wherein: the configuration information for the S-SS/PSBCH blockfurther includes information for a sidelink bandwidth part (SL BWP); andthe information for the SL BWP includes a numerology of the SL BWP and abandwidth of the SL BWP.
 4. The UE of claim 3, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: determine a numerology of the S-SS/PSBCH block asthe numerology of the SL BWP; and determine a bandwidth of theS-SS/PSBCH block as a part of the bandwidth of the SL BWP.
 5. The UE ofclaim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to determine that asubcarrier with index 0 in the S-SS/PSBCH block is aligned with asubcarrier with index 0 in a resource block (RB) in the SL BWP.
 6. TheUE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determinea scrambling sequence applied to a number of bits transmitted on aPSBCH.
 7. The UE of claim 6, wherein: the processor is furtherconfigured to initialize a generator for the scrambling sequence withc_(init)=N_(ID); and N_(ID) is a sidelink synchronization identification(SS-ID).
 8. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to determine a sequence to generate a demodulation referencesignal (DM-RS) for a PSBCH.
 9. The UE of claim 8, wherein: the processoris further configured to initialize a generator to generate the DM-RSwith c_(init)=N_(ID); and N_(ID) is the SS-ID.
 10. The UE of claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to: determine a length-127sequence for a sidelink primary synchronization signal (S-PSS) fromsubcarriers with indices 2 to 128 in symbols mapped for the S-PSS;determine a length-127 sequence for a sidelink secondary synchronizationsignal (S-SSS) from subcarriers with indices 2 to 128 in symbols mappedfor the S-SSS; determine subcarriers with indices 0, 1, 129, 130, and131 as zero in symbols mapped for the S-PSS; and determine subcarrierswith indices 0, 1, 129, 130, and 131 as zero in symbols mapped for theS-SSS.
 11. A method of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communicationsystem, the method comprising: receiving a set of higher layerparameters including configuration information for sidelinksynchronization signals and physical sidelink broadcast channel(S-SS/PSBCH) block; determining, based on the configuration informationfor the S-SS/PSBCH block, a number of transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks(N_(SSB)) over a sidelink channel, an offset for the transmittedS-SS/PSBCH blocks (O_(SSB)), and an interval for each of the transmittedS-SS/PSBCH blocks (D_(SSB)); and determining a set of slots containingthe transmitted S-SS/PSBCH blocks within a period for a transmission ofthe S-SS/PSBCH block, wherein an index of a slot in the set of slots isdetermined based on O_(SSB)+I_(SSB)*D_(SSB), where I_(SSB) is an indexof the S-SS/PSBCH block with 0≤I_(SSB)≤N_(SSB)−1.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein: the configuration information for the S-SS/PSBCHblock further includes a frequency location of the transmittedS-SS/PSBCH blocks; and the frequency location of the transmittedS-SS/PSBCH blocks corresponds to a subcarrier with an index 66 in theS-SS/PSBCH block.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein: the configurationinformation for the S-SS/PSBCH block further includes information for asidelink bandwidth part (SL BWP); and the information for the SL BWPincludes a numerology of the SL BWP and a bandwidth of the SL BWP. 14.The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining a numerology ofthe S-SS/PSBCH block as the numerology of the SL BWP; and determining abandwidth of the S-SS/PSBCH block as a part of the bandwidth of the SLBWP.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining that asubcarrier with index 0 in the S-SS/PSBCH block is aligned with asubcarrier with index 0 in a resource block (RB) in the SL BWP.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising determining a scrambling sequenceapplied to a number of bits transmitted on a PSBCH.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising initializing a generator for the scramblingsequence with c_(init)=N_(ID), wherein N_(ID) is a sidelinksynchronization identification (SS-ID).
 18. The method of claim 11,further comprising determining a sequence for generating a demodulationreference signal (DM-RS) for a PSBCH.
 19. The method of claim 18,further comprising initializing a generator for generating the DM-RSwith c_(init)=N_(ID), wherein N_(ID) is the SS-ID.
 20. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: determining a length-127 sequence for asidelink primary synchronization signal (S-PSS) from subcarriers withindices 2 to 128 in symbols mapped for the S-PSS; determining alength-127 sequence for a sidelink secondary synchronization signal(S-SSS) from subcarriers with indices 2 to 128 in symbols mapped for theS-SSS; determining subcarriers with indices 0, 1, 129, 130, and 131 aszero in symbols mapped for the S-PSS; and determining subcarriers withindices 0, 1, 129, 130, and 131 as zero in symbols mapped for the S-SSS.